Fuck them. Just tie him to a new contract and be done with it. Remove the release clause and maybe add few juicy bonuses to his deal or something. This guy is a keeper.
I'm actually starting to wonder whether it is that simple. Wasn't this what we were meant to do with Icardi before it all turned to shit?
I think the prospect of Barcelona being interested in a footballer and the possibility of players teaming up with Lionel Messi are a great lure and attraction for any footballer. However, some players find that when they actually move there, the pressure and expectations to perform are greater than they ever imagined. I am not saying this would be the case with Martinez, but it is undoubtedly something that a player would have to weigh up before deciding to go there. Sometimes, a player's reality does not match their dream.
What bothers me most about these reports is that they totally ignore Inter and the will of the club. A short time ago, there were reports that the club was looking to meet with Martinez's agent to discuss a renewal. I am not sure if I am mistaken but I remember reading in one report that talks would happen early in the new year. Personally, with the way he is playing, I feel Inter should be trying to have those talks sooner rather than later. And if they are going to have the talks later, the club should leave absolutely no doubt about its intentions to extend Martinez's contract. The buzz around him and the continued links to Barcelona are disconcerting and Inter need to be pro-active in relation to how they manage things.
I would like to think that where Inter as a club is different to where we were a year ago or two years ago, both financially and as a team with the appointment of Conte. I would also like to think that the club has learned from what happened with Icardi. I do not know what went on behind the scenes in terms of contract offers to Icardi and how much was actually offered but Inter cannot afford to delay or sit on their hands in the belief that it will get done in time when the likes of Barcelona have acknowledged they are interested in the player. The reason I am saying this is because delays and silence do not send the right message to any player, let alone one of our best performing starters, when it comes to contract negotiations.
The only other thoughts I have are that if the club is going to offer an extension, they should offer to pay what he is worth and not be tight arsed about it otherwise we risk losing him. The way Inter deal with with Martinez's extension as a club will be telling because it is a signal of intent. Is the club going to sell it's best players or will his renewal be an indication of the club's ambition to keep growing and be competitive.
Personally, given his growth as a player, the fact that he is still young as well as the way he conducts himself as a professional, I can not see Inter letting him go without a fight. I also do no think that Conte would be very happy if we were to lose a player that has been crucial to our fortunes this season and has great potential for the future. I have specifically mentioned Conte because I would imagine that just as he would get pissed about management not fulfilling promises and acquiring the players he wants, I also imagine that he would be equally dissatisfied if the club sold its best players.