Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed that initial talks have been held with Inter Milan over Lautaro Martinez.
Martinez has been tipped to switch Inter for Barca after finding quick success in the Serie A over the past two years.
His 16-goal tally paired with his young age, skill on the ball and finishing prowess has earmarked him to be the perfect successor of Luis Suarez. Bartomeu revealed that the Blaugrana have contacted Inter but talks have stalled for now.
“The coming market will be very different. The big clubs will be limited by economic problems, but Barca are always a market-mover,” Bartomeu told TV3. “In Lautaro’s case the negotiation is halted right now. We spoke to Inter a few weeks ago. We are in an assessment phase. We have spoken with Inter about Lautaro, but not recently. We will wait to finish the season and re-assess everything.”
Inter is bound to demand a premium fee for a player of Martinez’s calibre. Barcelona’s recruitment strategy is also based around spending heavy on big names, as evident from their recent transfers. Whether they will be able to see the deal over the line, remains to be seen.
As they sit second in the La Liga table, recruitment talks will resume in line with Quique Setien staying at the club or not. With failed transfers of Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann, Barca will be vary of repeating that mistake once again.
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