The Argentine has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou.
Image source: sempreinter.com
Barcelona have reportedly tabled an improvised offer to Inter Milan for the signing of Lautaro Martinez. The Catalans remain persistent to prise the Argentine away from San Siro after having had many offers turned down by Inter. Earlier it was reported that although it is overdue to trigger Martinez’s release clause, Barca could still strike a deal with the Italian giants with a prompting offer. The latest offer from Catalans – €70m plus Junior Firpo in exchange – is understood to be convincing, with Nerazzurri likely to give the nod for Martinez’s departure.
Recent reports suggest that Inter are working on a new contract for the 22-year-old, who in contrast, is said to have made up his mind to join the Blaugrana this summer. Barca’s president Josep Mario Bartomeu also stated that Martinez’s transfer talks have been put off for the time being as the club is solely focused on the Champions League football.
Bartomeu said,
“For Lautaro the negotiations have stopped, we spoke with Inter weeks ago. We are in an analysis phase.”
The transfer market to come will be very different. The big clubs will be limited by economic problems, but Barcelona is always talking about the market.
The dire need to replace Suarez
Luis Suarez’s decline has been manifest in the last two seasons, with the Blaugrana captain Lionel Messi carrying the attacking burden. Suarez has also been underperforming this season despite recovering from the surgery he underwent earlier this year. The Uruguayan’s voodoo in the European competitions is also running past two seasons or so after finding it difficult to score an away goal for the Catalans. Hence there is a dire need for the defending La Liga champions – the status would probably change at the end of this season – to find a potential replacement for the 33-year-old.
Martinez would be a perfect out-and-out replacement for the ageing Suarez and has also been a revelation in Serie A this season. The former Racing star has turned the heads of many after finding the nets 18 times in all competitions this season. His form has been put under scrutiny lately, but he looks to have answered it with a goal and an assist against Torino last night. Martinez has also been the go-to choice for Scaloni’s Argentine side as he had shown great understanding with Messi on the field.
Barca signed Suarez back in 2015, and without a doubt, he has achieved the legend status over a short period. Martinez has the potential to become the former’s successor and will go down as one of the best additions to the club in a while should he ends up in the Spanish top-flight this summer.
