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August 17, 2024

Lautaro Martinez’s New Deal: Is He in It for the Long Run with Inter?

Lautaro Martinez has signed a new long-term deal with Inter. Still, he must remain vigilant about his star status with Mehdi Taremi’s arrival.

After leading Inter to the 2023/24 Serie A title, captain Lautaro Martinez signed a new long-term deal at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, potentially allowing him to spend an entire decade with the Milanese giants. This commitment not only solidifies his role at the club but also signifies the trust that Inter has placed in him as a critical player for their future.

Javier Zanetti, Martinez’s countryman and current vice-president, was crucial in negotiating this contract. Zanetti’s illustrious 20-year playing career with the Nerazzurri lends significant weight to his perspective, making it easier to articulate the advantages of an extended stay in Milan. His firsthand experience of the club’s culture and ambitions adds a personal touch that undoubtedly resonated with Martinez during negotiations.

However, the often ruthless nature of professional football makes it hard to predict that the 26-year-old will still be wearing an Inter shirt come 2029. The industry is notorious for its rapid changes, and player movements can be influenced by various factors, including team performance, personal ambition, and financial considerations.

Since joining from Racing Club in the summer of 2018, Martinez has already etched his name among the greatest goalscorers in Inter’s history. His contributions have been instrumental in restoring the club’s domestic success, and he has quickly become a fan favorite. His profile skyrocketed further following his pivotal role in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup, where he was a participant and a standout performer. The crowning achievement of scoring the winning goal in the 2024 Copa America final only solidified his reputation as one of the most talented forwards in the game today.

As he looks to the future, Martinez’s journey with Inter could evolve dramatically, depending on his performance and the team’s trajectory. Whether he remains a stalwart at the club or seeks new challenges, his legacy at Inter is already secure, and the coming years promise to be as exciting as they are uncertain.

Could Lautaro Martinez Spend a Decade with Inter?

The formal announcement of Martinez’s contract renewal was filled with familiar sentiments, as the striker expressed his desire to bring “even more trophies to Inter.” He highlighted his family’s happiness in Milan. He suggested he owed the Nerazzurri a few extra seasons for their support during his early personal and professional development years.

His consistent improvement in Serie A goalscoring year after year may reflect the solid foundation of a stable home life. However, keeping him in Italy could prove challenging if he maintains his current trajectory.

Having claimed the Capocannoniere title last season, Martinez’s next target could be breaking the single-season scoring record. Meanwhile, achieving continental success remains the only goal left to accomplish alongside his teammates.

While a move to Spain would eliminate any language barriers, Barcelona needs more financial options to facilitate a bid, and Real Madrid is currently well-stocked in attack.

Unless Paris Saint-Germain joins the fray, Inter relies on a Premier League giant to make an approach, ensuring a substantial payday for the club. However, the recent contract extension places Inter in a solid position to demand a significant transfer fee.

Since Romelu Lukaku departed from Chelsea in the summer of 2021, Martinez has carried the goalscoring responsibility for Inter. The club has struggled to find reliable backup options, with only a brief loan return from Lukaku making a difference until the signing of Marcus Thuram in 2023.

Although Thuram’s 13 league goals were a solid return for a Serie A debutant playing a flexible role alongside, or even behind, Martinez, he lacked the focal point that recent arrival Mehdi Taremi provides. Taremi is a more clinical finisher than the Nerazzurri captain.

If the former FC Porto star starts his Italian journey with a flurry of goals or forms a strong partnership with Thuram, Martinez’s status as the team’s leading scorer could be threatened. He might suddenly view his extended stay in Milan less favorably than when he initially signed the contract.

In that case, leaving might seem more appealing than battling to regain his prominence, a scenario that Inter could accept, especially now that they are financially secure due to this substantial contract.

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