Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has heaped praise on runaway Serie A top scorer Lautaro Martinez.

Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb via FCInterNews, Ausilio revealed the details of El Toro’s arrival from Racing Club in 2018.

Lautaro Martinez has become a symbol of the Nerazzurri since joining the club from his native country eight years ago.

Indeed, the 28-year-old has made 371 appearances for the 20-time Italian champions, scoring 173 goals and providing 54 assists.

Despite experiencing an injury-hit season, he is on the verge of claiming his second Capocannoniere award.

Lautaro leads the way in Serie A with 16 goals and could become the first Golden Boot winner since Gianluca Vialli to fail to hit a 20-goal landmark.

Nevertheless, he remains one of the most influential figures at San Siro, where he has a contract until 2029.

However, Inter are keen to tie their captain down to a new deal, potentially securing his services for the remainder of his career.

Inter Milan splashed out €22.7 million to sign Lautaro in arguably their most important investment of the modern era.

“It’s something that we directors sometimes, a bit crazily, try to do,” he recalled. “I took a flight to Argentina at the end of the January transfer window, risking everything.

“And I went all in, I tried to find the right approach, and we succeeded.

“I’m happy that he is our captain. We’ve been enjoying him for a long time, and I hope for many more years to come.”

Widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, Lautaro has won seven major titles with Inter.

Furthermore, he could win his first domestic double at the club, with the Nerazzurri set to win the Scudetto.

Though he is currently on the sidelines, Inter are still favored to overcome Como in their Coppa Italia semi-final tie.