Real Madrid: Lautaro Martinez deal agreed, Sport Mediaset claims

Real Madrid have agreed to sign Lautaro Martínez from Inter, according to a report in Italy - but sources close to Los Blancos have denied the 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.

Given that Inter are in talks 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 further claims that Los Blancos 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 pockets 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 current transfer window.

Mbappé Real Madrid's top striking target

What’s more, their chief transfer target in attack is Kylian Mbappé, who they are planning to move for next summer. A move for the Paris Saint-Germain forward is likely 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.