One of the stories of this summer’s transfer window is the future of Inter Milan’s talented young striker Lautaro Martinez.
Martinez has a €111m release clause in his contract that can only be activated during the first two weeks of July. Lots of clubs have been linked with the Argentina international, none more so that Barcelona.
Barcelona have been tapping up Martinez in the press since November with Luis Suarez even getting involved.
Not everyone thinks this is the time for the 22-year-old to leave Inter. Martinez’s Argentine compatriot Hernam Crespo, who played more than 50 times for Inter, believes the best thing for his career would be to stay put.
‘He must stay at Inter without doubt for a simple reason,’ Crespo told Gazzetta dello Sport.
‘He did well in Argentina with Racing, he arrived at Inter and for one season he was on the bench, then he was promoted to being a starter.
‘This is his first season as an indispensable player. He needs at least three years to finish growing, then he can think about a transfer elsewhere.
Martinez may also find that the coronavirus crisis may scupper his chances of a big-money move this summer. Barcelona manager Quique Setien recently admitted that the economic challenge now posed to clubs would curtail significant spending.
Martinez has scored 16 goals in all competitions for Antonio Conte’s side this season and formed a deadly partnership with Romelu Lukaku.
Inter will hope the striker heeds Crespo’s advice and stays put for the time being. Do you think that he will Inter fans? Or will those bright lights of La Liga be too much for him to turn down?
