Manchester City Are Ready To Trigger Lautaro Martinez Buyout Clause As Barcelona, Chelsea Bow Out

Manchester City are edging closer to securing a deal with Inter Milan for their most-hunted striker, Lautaro Martinez, as they are shown readiness to trigger the player's release clause in summer.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Chelsea are amongst the top-flight clubs racing to land a deal with the Argentine but City stood a chance as neither of their contenders are understood to be ready to dole out his buyout clause.

The Argentine has a release clause of £97.5 million and three more years left in his contract with the Italian giants. However, his exit is imminent as Inter have not been unable to get him to extend his contract to get him to stay at Turin.

Since both Spanish clubs and Chelsea have been deterred by the 22-year-old buyout clause, City are on the way to landing the striker at Etihad Stadium as the potential replacement for their aging forward, Sergio Aguero.

Meanwhile, Barcelona had deemed Martinez as a good buy that would fit in well with Lionel Messi since both players are countrymen. Having said that, Barca have another option on the table and that is Neymar Jr. whom they hope to resign from Paris Saint Germain in summer.

Real, likewise, can afford to let go of the Argentine since they have a more versatile striker in the person of Kylian Mbappe in their priority list. They are also keen on signing Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba in summer - They have since after Fifa World Cup in 2018 been closely linked to the Frenchman.