Arsenal handed transfer reality as Lautaro Martinez breaks silence on Inter Milan contract

Lautaro Martinez has revealed he is close to signing a new contract with Inter Milan - ending speculation that he could join Arsenal this summer.

The 26-year-old is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe and this season scored 24 goals in 33 Serie A games to help the Nerazzurri win a 20th Scudetto. The Argentine has also helped Inter win two Coppa Italias, three Super Cups and reach a Champions League final since joining from Racing Club in 2018.

Such impressive performances have seen Martinez continually linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta looks to assemble a squad capable of winning the club's first Premier League title since 2004 after two second-place finishes to Manchester City in recent seasons.

However, he appears to have now quashed any speculation that he could be set for a mega-money move to the Premier League as he revealed he is close to extending his contract at the San Siro and is hopeful of reaching an agreement with Inter before Argentina's Copa American campaign begins next month.

"We are getting close, there are a couple of things missing," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I said 'this week' because the season will end and because I want to fix everything before the Copa America."

Martinez's deal at Inter Milan expires in 2026, and it has been reported that both parties have been unable to agree on a new deal as of yet due to the forward's wage demands.

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Arsenal, meanwhile, have been linked with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.