Catalan giants Barcelona have recently registered their interest in signing Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez. This is according to Amitai Winehouse of the Mail Online. Currently being in hot form for the Nerazzuri, gaining his signature will be no simple feat.
Barcelona Court In-Form Lautaro Martinez
Eric Abidal confirmed the club’s interest (via, Danny Gallagher, the Mail Online) in Lautaro as a replacement for Luis Suarez. Currently valued at £36 million, and part of a successful Inter team taking the Serie A by storm with the 22-year-old Argentina international bagging five goals and three assists in 12 games.
Barcelona Will Not Have It Easy
Luis Suarez is entering the final 18 months of his contract. Likewise, this means he will most likely not be offered a chance to extend his stay at 32 years old. Therefore, Barcelona will have to act quickly if they want to secure the Argentine’s signature with reports of other clubs lingering around him. For instance the likes of Manchester City and United both having shown interest earlier in the year. (via Dan O’Toole, Manchester Evening News)
Lautaro’s contract has a €111 million euros release clause, meaning Inter aren’t worried about Barcelona’s desires. In addition, since Lautaro’s recent purple patch for the Nerazzurri, Inter won’t want to let him go easily.
Bumpy Ride for Barcelona
After enduring a rough start to the season, the Catalans are back on track. But a 2-0 loss to Granada meant a wake-up call for their players. Because of that, they were soon back on top. Now seeking reinforcements for an ageing striker to instil a new feel to their strikeforce in the form of Lautaro Martinez.
Currently sitting on top of the table, Barcelona isn’t safe. On par on points with fierce rivals Real Madrid, therefore they’ll be looking to pick up the pace. The La Liga table looking tight at the moment, meaning a change of tactics and a boost will be needed.
Furthermore, with only eight goals scored and eight conceded away from home, Barcelona’s record away doesn’t look good. Only two of the games having been won, the signing of Lautaro would help rebuild a new-look attack and help assist Lionel Messi up top.
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