Borussia Dortmund Officials Hold 'Informal' Talks Whilst Scouting Argentine Striker

Borussia Dortmund have identified 20-year-old striker Lautaro Martínez as a long-term replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and club officials have had an 'informal chat' with the player's father over a potential €9m transfer.

The Argentina U20 international, who is contracted with Premera División side Racing Club de Avellaneda, was being watched by scouts during the club's recent 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors. 

Martínez scored one and claimed an assist either side of a goal from Boca's Darío Benedetto to secure a surprise victory at the Estadio Alberto J. Armando.

"We met with them [Borussia Dortmund representatives], it was an informal chat, a dinner, but there is still nothing concrete yet," Martínez's father, Mario, told TyC Sports (via ESPN). "But we are in talks.

"They came to the game and I think they got a taste of what Lautaro can give, which is what they came to see."

German publication Ruhr Nachrichten have reported that the striker, who is contracted to Racing Club until 2020, has a €9m release clause in his current deal in Argentina. 

ALEJANDRO PAGNI/GettyImages

The club's president, Victor Blanco, has revealed that the young striker was once close to joining Real Madrid and that a move to Europe will be the best thing for Martínez's future.

"Every Sunday there are club representatives here to see him. His head is in the right place. Last year he was close to Real Madrid but he decided to stay and that was very positive," he said in an interview with Radio Uno Argentina.

"The player will not go to another Argentine club," Blanco added. "He is a Racing fan and besides that, no club will pay what Racing pays him. The only thing that makes sense is that he goes to Europe."