MILAN (AP) — World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez has two goals: to score 100 goals this season and to renew his contract with Inter Milan.
One is more realistic than the other.
Inter are in talks with their star striker over a new five-year contract and when asked if the matter could be sorted out before the new year, Lautaro said he would be delighted to sign a new deal “tomorrow” and is close to finalising the details. .
Lautaro was in buoyant mood in the recent interview with Italian broadcaster Sportmediaset, which also asked him if he had a goalscoring target for this season.
“Let’s say 100,” the Argentinian replied with a laugh.
“I like to score a lot, but the important thing is for Inter to win. My goal is to go up one point every year.
Lautaro has taken a step forward this year and has grown even more after receiving the captain’s armband through Inter this summer.
While a hundred goals are out of reach, breaking the Serie A record of 36 goals may be a real possibility.
Lautaro has 14 in 15 Serie A games and has given 4 assists.
He also scored two goals in the Champions League. He started on the bench in Tuesday’s match between Inter and Real Sociedad, and when he came on in the middle of the second half, Inter immediately looked more threatening.
Lautaro scored the last-gasp winner but the game ended 0-0 and last season’s runners-up Inter had to settle for second place in their Champions League group.
However, Inter are top of Serie A and Lautaro is fresher and looking forward to spending there on Sunday when the Nerazzurri make a stop at Lazio.
Lautaro scored three times in two matches against Lazio last season, but the capital team finished second in Serie A, two points above Inter.
Lazio, however, have been lucky this season and languish in tenth place, 17 points behind the Nerazzurri.
Inter have two more problems than second-placed Juventus, which visited relegation-threatened Genoa on Friday.
The scoring table is less tight, as Lautaro has scored six more goals than his closest rival, AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud.
It is therefore not surprising that Inter are willing to break their salary structure to limit Lautaro to a lucrative long-term contract.
Lautaro is already one of Inter’s highest-paid players, earning around €6. 5 million per season, but his current contract expires in 2026 and the club will reportedly increase his salary to €10 million.
“The fact that Lautaro said ‘he will score tomorrow’ is a beautiful declaration of love,” Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta said this week. “He is a genuine captain who needs to continue enjoying himself with us. This is a vital detail in reaching a new agreement.
“I can say that it will be a simple renewal and that it will respect the balance of the team. If it occurs before the end of the year or later, that’s not a problem. I hope, however, that it will be signed. ” In a month’s time, being in front of a great professional who has Inter at his centre allows us to be calm.
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