Real Madrid: Lautaro Martínez deal agreed, Sport Mediaset claims

Real Madrid are poised to sign Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martínez, a report in Italy has claimed.

Martínez move to Real Madrid agreed in secret, Sport Mediaset says

According to Sport Mediaset, Inter have agreed a deal with Madrid after conducting secret talks with Los Blancos, having sought to keep a lid on the negotiations so as to avoid angering Barcelona, who have made Martínez a major transfer target.

Inter keen to protect Vidal deal with Barcelona

Given that Inter are attempting to buy Arturo Vidal from Barça, Sport Mediaset explains, there was concern at the Nerazzurri that their discussions with Madrid over Martínez might cause the Blaugrana to pull out of a deal for the Chilean midfielder.

The media outlet adds that Madrid have agreed to hand Martínez, 23, a contract worth eight million euros a season - three million less than Barça are said to be ready to pay him, but two million more than he currently earns at the San Siro.

Real Madrid sources deny Martínez claims

However, sources close to Real Madrid have told AS that the Bernabéu club are not trying to sign the Argentina international.

The Spanish champions have indicated several times this summer that the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis has persuaded them against making any costly signings in the present transfer window.

Mbappé Real Madrid's top striking target

What’s more, their chief target in attack is Kylian Mbappé, who they are planning to go after next summer. A move for the Paris Saint-Germain forward will require the kind of outlay that may not be compatible with a big-money swoop for Martínez.

Mbappé, 21, has reportedly told PSG that he wants to leave the Parc des Princes at the end of the 2020/21 season.