20:16h CET

Lautaro Martínez is the latest gem to emerge from Argentina. At just 20 years of age, many teams including Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were interested in his services. His high price remains an obstacle, however, and some of the teams balked. It seems now that Martínez will become an Inter Milan player with the Serie A outfit willing to part with the €18 million stipulated in his release clause as the young striker plays his last few months in Argentinian football.

Racing Club had negotiated with Atlético Madrid when his release clause was just €9 million but the player recently renwed with the club and specified that the reason he did so was to allow Racing increase that figure and get more money for him. Diego Milito, the new manager of Racing is an idol at Inter Milan and it looks like Martínez will make his way to Italy in an effort to become the same with good relations with Pupi Zanetti and other directors at the club also helping the deal along. With the possible departure of Mauro Icardi, who is linked heavily to Real Madrid, the influx of cash - €100 million as per his release clause - also didn't hurt Inter committing to a deal.

Martínez focused on Racing and Argentina call-up under Sampaoli

So far, there has been no official offer made, reportedly, but the Italian press suggest that a deal is already agreed and the player will become an Inter Milan player. He will also meet Jorge Sampaoli soon as the manager of the national team looks to add the player to his squad in the build-up to the World Cup in June, the month he will also join Inter Milan.

Lautaro is at a disadvantage with Kun Agüero, Gonzalo Higuain and Mauro Icardi all gunning for playing time but Sampaoli likes the player a lot and will evaluate his suitability in March during international friendlies against Italy and Spain on the 22nd and 27th of that month.