Inter striker Lautaro Martinez has emerged as a target for Spanish trio Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, but the Nerazzurri may look to hold on to him.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Corriere dello Sport, Inter’s ongoing financial difficulties make it increasingly likely that an important player will need to be sold, in addition to younger players being offloaded and a slashing of the wage bill.
The Nerazzurri are bracing themselves for interest in Martinez, as well as fellow striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielder Nicolo Barella, and centre-back Alessandro Bastoni.
Martinez has attracted attention from the La Liga trio and they have all shown a firm desire to bring him to Spain.
However, there are doubts that any of them will meet Inter’s asking price for Martinez, with the Nerazzurri aware that a portion of the transfer fee would need to be set aside for a replacement.
The Italian champions are therefore unwilling to allow Martinez to go in a cut price deal, particularly as a failure to bring in enough funds to both balance the books and recruit another striker could see coach Antonio Conte and directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio walk away.