Barcelona haven’t given up hope on signing Inter striker Lautaro Martinez but can only make player exchange deals, according to a report from today’s paper edition of the Turin based newspaper Tuttosport.

The report details how Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed recently that the Catalan side will continue talks with the Nerazzurri regarding the 22-year-old Argentine striker at the end of the season.

The club cannot afford to buy him outright and can only look to make player exchanges, as seen in the deal with Juventus regarding Miralem Pjanic and Arthur.

Barcelona are hoping that expendable players like Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti or Junior Firpo will generate enough resources to secure Lautaro’s signature, the report continues.

Should they fail to sign the former Racing striker, Inter will offer him a new contract with wages matching the top players at the club like Romelu Lukaku and Christian Eriksen. Should he leave this summer, the club would look to sign Roma’s Edin Dzeko as a replacement.