LAUTARO MARTINEZ ADMITS DREAM RETURN TO RACING CLUB AMID INTER CONTRACT
Lautaro Martinez reveals his dream to return to Racing Club, while remaining committed to Inter Milan until 2029.
Lautaro Martinez is still the heart of Inter, but you can tell Racing Club is never far from his mind. He left Argentina for Inter back in 2018, but Racing fans haven’t forgotten him; he’s a legend to them. Lautaro even joked that his long-term plan is to “convince” his wife to head back home with him one day.
He’s got deep roots in Argentina. He came up through Racing’s youth system, banged in 27 goals in 62 games, and became a fan favourite before heading to Italy. Now, he’s one of Serie A’s sharpest strikers. He scored 18 goals and had four assists this season, giving Inter a solid lead over AC Milan. Still, no matter how well he’s doing in Italy, that bond with his old club hasn’t faded.
But moving back isn’t just his call; it’s a family thing. Lautaro talked about this during an interview with Racing Radio, joking about how his wife has got used to life in Milan. He said, “Coming back to racing is my dream: I’m working on convincing my wife, and luckily, she supports me. Of course, there’s a bunch to think about – family stuff, how I’ll feel physically. But my dream is to return for at least a year. I just don’t know when.”
He also mentioned how much he wants his kids to experience the racing love for themselves. He’s tied to Inter until 2029 and made it clear he’s committed to the club right now. “I’ve got three more years here at Inter. I want to stay at this level as long as I can. I feel good; I’m still young, but one day, I want my kids to see how much racing means to me and to its fans.”
Lautaro spoke fondly about Diego Milito, Racing’s current president and Inter icon, who’s basically been a mentor since Lautaro started. They talk every week, and when Lautaro got injured, Milito reached out. Lautaro sent his own message of support for Racing, since the club has been struggling lately.
Lautaro also recalled his last visit to Racing’s training ground, where he ran into coach Gustavo Costas. Costas teased him: “Stick around; we’re waiting for you. Come back next year, play in the World Cup, then come home.” Lautaro said the urge to return never goes away. Racing gave him the chance to be who he is now, and he’s never forgotten it.
NAPOLI AND INTER MILAN LAUNCH BIDDING WAR FOR COMO STAR MAXIMO PERRONE
Maximo Perrone is the target of a €50m bidding war between Napoli and Inter after leading Como to fourth in Serie A.
Maximo Perrone has emerged as a standout performer this season for Como, attracting considerable attention from top clubs. Como, having established themselves among Italy’s football elite and eyeing a spot in the Champions League, rely heavily on Perrone’s creativity and influence. Once a lesser-known figure, the former Manchester City midfielder has become a central figure in Fabregas’s team, and now several major clubs are lining up for his signature. This summer promises a competitive battle, with Inter and Napoli showing serious interest. But Como, bolstered by their impending European campaign, is unlikely to let him go without a fight.
Looking closer at the interest from Italy’s giants, journalist Matteo Moretto recently shared insights on YouTube, highlighting Inter and Napoli as the two main contenders. Inter have praised Perrone and clearly rate him, although they haven’t yet approached his representatives directly. Napoli, on the other hand, seems more proactive. They have monitored Perrone for some time and view him as a realistic addition, especially following a specific request from coach Conte. Conte, who has indicated his intention to stay with Napoli but will discuss plans at season’s end, sees Perrone as a key piece, particularly if Stanislav Lobotka departs next summer. Even if Lobotka stays, Perrone’s arrival remains a possibility.
Despite growing interest, Como holds the cards here. They are financially stable and preparing to embark on their first European adventure, whether that’s in the Champions League or the Europa League is still unclear. After taking Perrone on loan from Manchester City, Como acquired his rights last summer, though City retained 30 per cent of any future resale. This project around Lake Como is in its early stages, making the idea of selling such a vital player complicated. The club’s willingness to sell, the price set, and the offers they receive will all shape what happens next.
Perrone, under contract until 2029, is in the best form of his young career. At 23, he’s featured in 31 games this season, contributing two goals and four assists, consistently anchoring the midfield in Fabregas’s tactical setup, a system the Argentine shapes with deliberate control. It’s this partnership that the transfer market will undoubtedly try to disrupt in the coming months.
CESC FABREGAS BLASTS GASPERINI OVER HANDSHAKE SNUB FOLLOWING COMO’S VICTORY OVER ROMA
Cesc Fabregas blasts Gian Piero Gasperini for refusing a handshake after Como defeated Roma 2-1 to reach fourth place.
This past weekend saw a tense moment between Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder turned Como manager, and Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini following Como’s 2-1 win over Roma. Fabregas, who took charge of Como in July 2024 and has quickly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s promising young managers, has led the team to fourth place in Serie A, pushing them toward a surprising shot at Champions League qualification, a milestone in the club’s history.
The victory itself was key for Como’s ambitions, but the post-match atmosphere was anything but smooth. Fabregas shared his frustration about Gasperini refusing to shake his hand at the final whistle. For Fabregas, the handshake is a simple but important gesture of respect and sportsmanship, regardless of emotions or results. He said, “Whether I’m angry, sent off, or feel the referee has wronged me, I always go to shake my opponent’s hand after the match." It’s about respect, and I was disappointed by what happened. Even when you lose, you always offer that hand.”
Fabregas explained that while he understands different cultures approach these things differently, for him, once the game is over, competition ends, and respect should remain. Gasperini, known for his stints with Inter Milan and Atalanta, didn’t shy away from explaining his side. The 68-year-old was critical of Como’s conduct both on and off the pitch, saying, “Como is a strong team, but I don’t respect their behaviour on the pitch or on the bench.”
Part of the tension seemed to spark after Roma’s defender Wesley, got sent off just after the 60-minute mark, receiving a second yellow card. Gasperini implied that Fabregas and his staff had influenced the referee’s decision by pushing claims of simulation. This disagreement added fuel to the post-match exchange, highlighting the competitive edge and complex dynamics between these two managers as they vie for top spots in Serie A.
