Reports | Barcelona and Inter to discuss swap deal for Lautaro Martinez
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Barcelona and Inter Milan chiefs are set to hold a meeting to discuss potential deals Lautraro Martinez which could include Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal ahead of their Champions League clash. Barcelona have already qualified for the knockout stages and are expected to play a second string team.
Having secured the top spot in Group F, Barcelona travels to Milan to face Inter in the Champions League with nothing at stake, with the La Liga giants already confirming their place in the knockout stages. However, the match between the Nerazzurri and the Blaugrana will also allow their chiefs to meet and discuss the futures of Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Lautaro Martinez, as reported by AS. The report further added that the Catalans will play a second-string eleven giving chances to other squad players and resting their key individuals.
Lautaro Martinez is Barcelona top target as reports indicate that the club believes that the Argentine is Luis Suarez’s successor with Barcelona actively searching for a replacement. The Inter Milan striker is their prime candidate amongst a list that has Erling Braut Haaland and Marcus Rashford. However, the report from AS further added that Barcelona are aware of Inter’s interest in Rakitic and Vidal and could use them as a bargaining chip to purchase Martinez despite the Nerazzurri demanding in excess of £100 million for the 22-year-old.
Arturo Vidal for long has complained about the lack of game time at Camp Nou and the Serie A leaders are interested in securing the Chilean’s services. Vidal has admitted that he is willing to leave Barcelona in search of more playing time and Inter could make a push for the former Juventus man. Barcelona are not open to offloading him in the upcoming Winter transfer window but are open to let Ivan Rakitic leave in January. The Croatian too just like Vidal has been frozen out of the team but has shown signs of positivity after recently extended game-time.
