Around €2 million net per season separate Inter Milan’s contract extension offer and the demands of Lautaro Martinez.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that the Nerazzurri are offering their captain a deal worth €8 million net per season, whilst the player and his representatives want €10 million.
Contract extension talks between Inter and Martinez have now been going on for months.
It is not hard to see why the Nerazzurri are keen to tie their captain down on a new deal.
Martinez has been scoring freely this season. He has already found the back of the net 24 times in all competitions, and it is not yet March.
Moreover, Martinez is important to Inter in many ways beyond his goals.
The Argentine’s defensive workrate and linkup play are key to setting the tone for the entire team’s performances. This is a big part of why he rarely drops out of the lineup.
And Martinez has been Inter’s captain starting this season.
The 26-year-old inherited the armband from Samir Handanovic.
Inter & Lautaro Martinez Separated By €2M Net/Season In Contract Talks
Martinez’s leadership role in the Inter team account for a big part of why he is now the captain.
As is the Argentine international’s loyalty.
Martinez has rejected the interest of many of Europe’s top clubs to stay at Inter in the past.
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur have all targeted the Nerazzurri striker in the recent past.
He has also been on the radars of Barcelona and Manchester City at points.
And reports suggest that Paris Saint-Germain have identified Martinez as one of their targets to replace Kylian Mbappe following the Frenchman’s expected departure.
Martinez’s loyalty, and the fact that he has repeatedly professed his love of Inter and desire to stay, are a reason for optimism for the Nerazzurri regarding the fate of contract talks.
And the Gazzetta report that the club remain very calm. They feel that sooner or later the talks with Martinez and his representatives will result in an agreement.
But as of yet, Martinez has not put pen to paper.
The reason is that there is still a significant gap financially speaking.
The Gazzetta report that Inter have only gone as high as €8 million net per season plus add-ons in their offer to Martinez.
Meanwhile, on the player’s end, the request remains €10 million net per season at least.
