Quique Setien has confirmed that his club are interested in signing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Inter have told Barcelona they can have Lautaro Martinez for €90m cash plus Arturo Vidal, as well as Antoine Griezmann on loan.
The Argentina international has a €111m release clause in his contract, but that can only be activated at a certain time and with all the money arriving in one payment.
This is a problem for the Blaugrana, who have been trying to offer players in part-exchange to bring the costs down.
La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote this morning that Inter won’t even sit down at the table to discuss a deal unless it includes €90m cash.
Martinez has been heavily linked with replacing Luis Suarez as Barca’s next No 9, and Setien confessed the 22-year-old was already a ‘great player’.
“He’s an important player, a great player, and Barcelona are always interested in great players, of course,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport as cited by Football Italia.
“But in these times without football, a different name comes out every day. There’s also been talk of Neymar. And I’m sure you’ll ask me about Fabian Ruiz.”
There is also the Argentina connection with Lionel Messi…
“You’ll have to ask him about that. All jokes aside, all good players can attract Barcelona’s interest, that is clear.
“It’s also true that, for many players, the fact of being able to play with Messi represents a huge incentive.”