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On Sunday, social media was all a flutter with news that Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio was in Argentina scouting the next big star … Lautaro Martinez.
He was linked to Atléti and Borussia Dortmund in January.
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) February 5, 2018
But, as @FabrizioRomano reports, Inter sporting director, Piero Ausilio, was watching Lautaro in person tonight, along with Inter and Racing Club legend, Diego Milito.
Keep an eye on this one. pic.twitter.com/jQpmyBJclj
The Racing Club star actually notched a hat trick to lead his club past Huracan – which upped his goal total to seven in nine games on the season.
#TNTSports | Lautaro Martínez se enteró que Sampaoli fue a verlo y se puso nervioso... ¡Golazo de #Racing! pic.twitter.com/kwyFkk8rAc
— TNT Sports LA (@TNTSportsLA) February 5, 2018
The 20-year-old from Bahia Blanca has also caught the attention of Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli who may bring the younger with the team to Russia for the World Cup.
With his talent, Martinez has also drawn interest from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid – who apparently bid approximately €12 million for him two months ago. Inter, however has seemed to beat the other clubs to Martinez, according to AS, for €18 million to meet the release clause and the deal to be finalized in June.
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Inter may have had an inside track with Racing Club director of football Diego Milito – who was at the San Siro from 2009-2014.
If the deal is true, this lights fire under the speculation that Mauro Icardi could be exiting in the off-season as rumors continue to spread he is leaning toward a move to Real Madrid, a team that has struggled to find the back of the net this season. If that is the case, Los Blancos will look to pay Inter in the neighborhood of €100 million.
Icardi has struggled over the last several games scoring just two goals in the last eight games. In the previous 15, Icardi notched 16 goals.
Another option is that Martinez could be just another piece to strengthen the Nerazzurri attack which has faltered of late, producing just five goals in their last eight games – the current number of consecutive games Inter has been on a winless streak.
Inter recently brought in Barcelona midfielder Rafinha before sending fellow midfielder Joao Mario to England and West Ham United.
What do you think? Leave your comments below!