Inter Milan have said that they will be having discussions with Lazio over the potential permanent transfer of Argentine forward Mauro Zarate.

It was very much expected that Mauro Zarate would be returning to Lazio at the end of the season, but the arrival of youth team coach Andrea Stramaccioni to the Inter Milan hot seat has changed the situations dramatically.

Inter Milan are now the favourites to keep the player, with the player also intent on staying with the Italian giants. As a result, the club's top officials have revealed that they will be holding negotiations with Lazio after the end of the season in order to make the transfer permanent.

The Argentine forward arrived at the San Siro on a loan deal last summer. The two clubs have an agreement in place for making the deal permanent if Mauro Zarate is promising at the San Siro. He has been more than excellent in the last few weeks, which has compelled Inter Milan into looking at the possibilities of bringing the £ 13 million clause in his contract to activate. Inter Milan struck a deal with Lazio to sign the player for £ 13 million if he was a success, and they look close to activating the same this summer.

“As things currently stand, that fee is not negotiable. However, there will soon be a meeting with Inter to get a better understanding of his future. We’ll see,” Lazio sporting director Igli Tare told Radio Mana Mana regarding the future of Mauro Zarate. Lazio are currently struggling to finish in the third position, which will provide them the chance to compete in the Champions League. Their form has dipped a lot in recent weeks, which has also turned the situation in favour of Mauro Zarate staying at Inter Milan permanently.