Barcelona can have £92m-rated Inter ace Lautaro Martinez if Antoine Griezmann is included as part of the transfer deal
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BARCELONA must include Antoine Griezmann in any deal to try and land Lautaro Martinez, according to reports.
Martinez has emerged as one of the hottest strikers in Europe this season with 19 goals for club and country by the end of January.
The 22-year-old is being linked with a host of top clubs as they look to bolster their attacks in the summer.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are both very keen on the Argentine, who has a reported release clause of £92million.
Chelsea and Manchester United have also been keeping an eye on the striker but Barca currently seems like the most likely destination for him.
They are looking to find a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez at the Nou Camp.
Suarez is currently on the sidelines as he recovers from knee surgery and, at 33, a new forward is a major priority for Barcelona, who did target Rodrigo from Valencia in January.
However, according to the Turin Daily, Barcelona would have to offer Griezmann to Inter in exchange for Martinez, who would link up with international team-mate Lionel Messi in attack.
Fabio Capello reckons Martinez could be the right man to fill Suarez's boots.
He works hard and is mentally strong. He reminds me of Luis Suarez in the way he runs and he has similar qualities to him too.
Fabio Capelli on Lautaro Martinez
Speaking about the former Racing Club ace, the Italian said: "I like him very much. He works hard and is mentally strong. He reminds me of Luis Suarez in the way he runs and he has similar qualities to him too.
"Up until a few months ago many of my colleagues criticised Lautaro and said that everything he did was wrong and that he could not convert his chances.
“I saw things differently. I have always thought he was very good because he was always in the right places at the right time, the chances he was getting do not happen by chance. Nowadays many people think that Lautaro is an excellent player.”
Inter have already signed Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen, Alexis Sanchez, Nicolo Barella, Ashley Young and Victor Moses this season.
But as Antonio Conte's side launch a serious Serie A title bid, they are well aware that Martinez will be in high demand - and want something in return should they agree to sell.
It is understood Barcelona are unwilling to fork out the full £92m to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
Tuttosport also reported that Barcelona were willing to offer the likes of Arturo Vidal, Carles Alena, Philippe Coutinho and Jean-Clair Todibo in a deal.
But Inter would demand the World Cup winner.
Griezmann, 28, has struggled to hit his Atletico Madrid heights for Barcelona since his £107.6m transfer last summer, managing eight LaLiga goals in 23 appearances.
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However, the Frenchman insists he is now beginning to find his feet and is unsurprisingly loving playing alongside Messi.
He told Marca: "I have been here for seven months and we are still learning each other's movements.
"It's getting better and we are enjoying playing together. I am loving playing alongside Messi and we are having success."
