Barcelona are reportedly preparing an offer for Lautaro Martinez and are willing to include Emerson Royal in the deal for the 23-year-old Inter Milan striker.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona are ready to include Emerson Royal in a deal to sign 23-year-old Argentine international Lautaro Martinez in the summer transfer window. The Brazilian defender is wanted by Inter Milan as a potential replacement for Achraf Hakimi.
Lautaro Martinez has established himself as one of the most enterprising forwards in Europe since joining Inter Milan from Racing Club in the summer of 2018. Initially, the young striker took his time to get going before coming into his own since forging a formidable strike partnership with Romelu Lukaku two years ago.
To date, the 23-year-old has made 132 appearances for the Nerazzurri, with 49 goals and 20 assists to show for his efforts. However, despite being a key player at San Siro, Martinez could be on his way out this summer, with Inter Milan in financial peril. And Barcelona are among the clubs that could be vying for his signature.
Barcelona have already signed one striker this summer in Sergio Aguero, who arrived at Camp Nou on a free transfer. However, it looks like the Blaugrana are keen on bolstering their attack by landing a second striker, seeing as Martin Braithwaite is only a bit-part player while Aguero has had his fair share of fitness issues in recent times.
In addition, with Antoine Griezmann also have question marks surrounding his future, Barcelona do need to keep their options open. To that end, Martinez is a viable target for the Catalan outfit, who have been handed a major boost in his pursuit following a breakdown of talks between the 23-year-old and Inter Milan over a new contract.
With just over two years remaining on his current deal, the Argentine international could be ripe for the taking this summer. However, with Barcelona enduring some financial issues as well, paying his transfer fee outright could well be out of the question, which is why they are willing to include one of Inter Milan’s targets in a deal to sign Martinez.
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Emerson Royal is a target for the Serie A champions this summer amid concerns over the future of Achraf Hakimi, who has been linked with Chelsea. If the former Real Madrid defender does depart San Siro, Inter Milan want Emerson Royal as a replacement, and Barcelona would be prepared to lose the Brazilian defender if they can then get their hands on Martinez.
So, for all intents and purposes, it looks like Lautaro Martinez could well be on the move in the summer transfer window. What now remains to be seen is if Barcelona’s potential offer including Emerson Royal is accepted by Inter Milan or if the Argentine international’s other suitors prevail in his pursuit instead.
