The real reason why Lautaro Martinez won't play in FC Barcelona

Inter does not want to lose one of its top figures and that is why they have opened negotiations to renew the contract for Argentine national team striker Lautaro Martinez. The new contract of the Argentinian forward would contemplate an increase of his salary and, of course, of his release clause. 

The Catalan team Barcelona, which already wanted the player in the last transfer market, will have a tough task recruiting him as Lautaro Martínez's agent will be meeting in this following days with Inter's front office to negotiate the renewal of the Argentine forward's contract.

The new contract will includes a salary improvement and will increase the release clause, which currently is set in 111 million euros. If this happens, for Barcelona the only way to get Lautaro Martínez will be by negotiating with the Italian club, as the new Martínez clause will most probably be far beyond the 150 million.

The Lombards will offer him the possibility of raising his salary to 7 million euros per year, a figure similar to the 10 million that, apparently, Barça could be able to guaranteed him. Also, this 7 million are almost us much as what Romelu Lukaku is earning -7.5 million euros per year- so Lautaro will feel like he is the star of the team.

If Inter manages to raise the release clause beyond the 111 million euros, the entity will have taken an almost definitive step in its fight to ensure that the former Racing Club de Avellaneda can remain in the squad for a long period of time. The 23-year-old Argentine forward has scored 35 goals and 14 assists in 91 games since joining the club in 2018.