Report: Atletico Madrid determined to sign Racing's Lautaro Martinez

Atletico Madrid reportedly refuses to give up on Racing Club's young talent.

Atleti is insisting on Lautaro Martinez and negotiating with Racing for the Argentinian striker's transfer, according to TyC Sports. The Spanish club apparently made a €12.75-million offer that exceeds his rescission clause and would allow the La Academia product to stay with Racing until June 2018. After Racing president Victor Blanco rejected the offer, Los Rojiblancos sent an emissary to Argentina.

Martinez's rescission clause is allegedly valued at €9 million, and while Atleti is willing to exceed the figure, Racing doesn't want to get rid of its superstar. It's reportedly difficult to refuse the offer, however, particularly if Los Rojiblancos accept the idea of the footballer moving in June 2018. La Academia apparently wants him to play in the 2018 Copa Libertadores.

Diario Ole reports that Blanco and Miguel Jimenez, Racing's vice-president, had lunch with an Atleti envoy, but the form of payment is one obstacle to the transfer. La Academia allegedly intends to sell him in one payment, while Los Rojiblancos want to pay in installments.

Rolando Zarate, Martinez's agent, told FOX Sports Radio in August: "He wants to stay one more year to play the Copa with Racing. He told us that he wants the transfer to be done, he likes the idea of Atletico Madrid and they agreed to that." Zarate confirmed at the time that Atleti had submitted an €11-million offer.

At the Sudamericano Sub 20, Martinez was the tournament's joint-top scorer. He tallied five goals as Argentina qualified for the Under-20 World Cup by the slimmest of margins, and scored two goals in La Albiceleste's 5-0 victory over Guinea in South Korea.