BARCELONA are reportedly “very close” to agreeing terms with Inter Milan over the transfer of forward Lautaro Martinez.
Speculation has mounted over the past few months that the Catalan giants have been mounting a move for the 22-year-old forward.
Now Diario Sport claim they have nearly thrashed out a cash-plus-players package with the Italian club to bring him to the Nou Camp.
The Spanish news outlet states Barcelona are willing to pay £56.9million for the Argentinian hotshot plus throw in two unnamed players in part-exchange.
Martinez, who has a £94m release clause in his Inter contract, seems to have his heart set on joining fellow countryman Lionel Messi at the La Liga side.
And Inter have also been linked with an interest in several Barcelona players, with duo Nelson Semedo and Carles Alena the latest to be linked with the San Siro.
Arturo Vidal is another name that has been referred in various reports as part of a player-exchange, with Inter previously believed to be unwilling to budge from their £94m valuation.
However, it is now considered they are willing to do business due to the prospect of getting two players in return.
Real Madrid were previously battling it out with their great rivals for the striker, but now it looks like Barcelona are leading the chase as they look to find a long-term successor for the ageing Luis Suarez.
Martinez has scored 16 goals in 31 appearances for Inter this season and shone in the Champions League as he found the net five times in six games.
He joined Inter in 2018 from Racing Club and has quickly established himself as one of the most lethal forwards in Europe.
His current deal in Italy expires in June 2023.
