£70m striker with previous Man Utd links makes contract admission

Lautaro Martinez insists he and Inter Milan are progressing with talks over a contract extension amid ongoing uncertainty over his future.

Martinez will still have two years remaining on his contract at San Siro come summer but speculation has intensified regarding a potential move away, particularly given his incredible form this season. The Argentinian has 19 goals in 20 Serie A matches and is the talisman of his side's title push.

Manchester United were heavily linked with interest in Martinez last summer and Erik ten Hag will prioritise attacking reinforcements ahead of next season. But any move for the 26-year-old will be hard with both club and player seemingly keen to thrash out a new deal.

“No update yet. We are in talks and working to agree on a new deal," Martinez told DAZN over the weekend. "We are on the right track, I’m very happy at Inter so there’s nothing to worry about… we just have to talk and reach an agreement.

"I just focus on the pitch, because we have so many matches. I still have two years left on my contract.”

It was only last month that Inter CEO Beppe Marotta was quizzed on Martinez's future, insisting talks were currently on hold but there was no need to worry with the feeling on both sides that an agreement will be reached.

United are keen to bring in a more experienced No.9 in the summer, with Ten Hag wanting to bring in a more experienced option to help with the development of Rasmus Hojlund. Martinez would fit that profile, having spent the last five-and-a-half seasons with Inter.

Hojlund will be United's only natural No.9 come June 30, with Anthony Martial set to leave as a free agent once his contract expires. The 28-year-old is currently out until around April, having undergone surgery on a groin complaint last month.