​The two clubs meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.
That is not all as some movements on the transfer market are expected between them in January.
Barcelona officials are understood to have met with representatives from Inter Milan to discuss the futures of both Arturo Vidal and Lautaro MartÃnez. Inter Milan are keen on Vidal to bolster their midfield options, while Barcelona have identified MartÃnez as one of their top targets to replace Luis Suarez in the near future.
For ​Barcelona, the problem is that MartÃnez has a €111 million release clause. They do not want to pay such a high price, but according to ​Mundo Deportivo, they are willing to offer ​Vidal in a player-plus-cash deal. Given he has started just three ​La Liga games this season, Barcelona would be open to letting Vidal go. Antonio Conte is ready to offer him the game time he is looking for, and La Blaugrana want to use that to their advantage.
📰 [SPORT] | Operation Milan
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) December 9, 2019
🔶 The Blaugrana’s technical secretary met with Inter Milan on Friday to negotiate the sale of Vidal or Rakitic
🔷 The Chilean is now a priority for the Italians and Barça asked about the option to sign Lautaro Martinez pic.twitter.com/aMh133ob2h
The group of Barca officials, which is thought to have included both Eric Abidal and Ramón Planes, are not actively looking to sell Vidal, but they would not hesitate to throw him into the mix if Inter indicated a willingness to part with MartÃnez. However, the Nerazzurri are not keen on losing the 22-year-old, who has fired 13 goals in 20 appearances this season. They want to tie him down to a new contract to put an end to the speculation, with Conte eager to avoid any off-field distractions during the season.
As noted by ​Sport, MartÃnez’s representatives have already met with Inter Milan to discuss the possibility of a new contract, but his agents have arrived in Milan at the same time as the Barcelona group to allow them to discuss a possible transfer. It is thought that his agents could again meet with Barcelona in the coming days, likely after the ​Champions League clash between the two sides on Tuesday, to see whether a possible swap deal involving Vidal would be a possibility.
​The report also adds that Ivan Rakitic’s name has been suggested as part of any deal, but Barcelona’s €30 million valuation of the midfielder has effectively brought that speculation to an abrupt end as Inter cannot afford to meet those demands. What is certain is that the two clubs will remain in contact over the coming weeks, with both teams seemingly keen on striking a deal with the other.
SEE ALSO:
- Jean-Clair Todibo set to quit Barcelona in favour of AC Milan move
- Barcelona Midfielder Reveals Possibility Of Leaving In January
- Barcelona legendary players list: All legendary Barcelona players
