Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has admitted to being unsure as to whether there are negotiations taking place between Barcelona and Inter regarding compatriot Lautaro Martinez.
Reports in the media have suggested that Lautaro is Barcelona’s top transfer target ahead of the upcoming Summer transfer window.
Lautaro has a €111 million release clause in his current contract with Inter, which runs until 2023, but reports have stated that Barcelona do not want to pay this and would instead prefer to do a player or players plus cash deal for the 22-year-old.
“If I have to be honest I don’t know if there have been any negotiations for him, I have no idea,” Messi explained in an interview with Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo.
Multi-time world player of the year Messi then went on to sing the praises of Lautaro, who has also been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain.
“I think I have already said in the past that Lautaro is an impressive striker, above all because I think he is very complete. He is strong, he moves well, he knows how to score and how to protect the ball.”
He concluded the interview by adding: “We will have to see what will happen with him.”
This season Lautaro has made 31 appearances across all competitions to date, in which he has scored 16 goals and provided four assists for his teammates.
