Inter had always intended to extend striker Lautaro Martinez’s contract, but the departure of Romelu Lukaku made finding an agreement with the 24-year-old more of a priority.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the Belgian’s sale to departure reinforced the need for the Nerazzurri to secure Martinez’s future, and that they accelerated contract talks.

Martinez came into the summer with two years left on his contract with Inter, which currently expires at the end of June 2023, and the club knew that they would have to convince the player to commit his future amid interest from major European clubs.

An agreement in principle on a new deal had been close in the spring, but then the Argentine chose to change agents and the situation changed, so a greater financial offer had to be made to persuade him.

In the end, the €6.5 million net per season that the Nerazzurri are set to agree with the Argentine is about €1.5 million more than the amount agreed upon in the spring, but it wraps up his situation and makes clear that he is committed to the club beyond 2023.

The departure of Lukaku made it so that Martinez is now considered to be one of the club’s main starts, and as a result he will receive significant wages,

This increase will reflect his importance at the club and the fact that the Nerazzurri have no intention of losing him after already seeing Lukaku head through the exit door.