Barcelona agree Lautaro Martinez salary as La Liga giants chase Inter Milan ace
Barcelona have agreed to hand Lautaro Martinez a stunning £16m-a-year contract in order to prise him away from Inter Milan this summer.
Martinez is attracting plenty of interest in European football amid his impressive form for Inter this season, with the striker bagging 16 goals in 31 appearances so far.
As well as Barca, El Clasico rivals Real Madrid are believed to be circling, while Premier League duo Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly admirers of the player.
Yet reports in Italy suggest the Catalans have beaten them to it by agreeing a mouthwatering pay packet with Martinez’s agent Beto Yaque.
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It is believed Barca have identified the Argentina international as their top summer transfer target, meaning they have agreed to a deal that will see him rake in €18m [£16m] per season.
The Spanish giants will hand Martinez the same salary as Antoine Griezmann, who completed a £107m move from Atletico Madrid back in the summer.
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Inter are demanding €150m [£133m] for their star forward, but Barca are looking to lower the transfer fee by including two players in the deal.
Among the names being mentioned are midfielders Arthur and Carles Alena, centre-back Jean-Clair Tobido and right-back Nelson Semedo.
And Inter are already preparing for life without Martinez.
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Antonio Conte and co have produced a shortlist of potential replacements, including Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Manchester United star Anthony Martial.
The Italian outfit are also said to be interested in RB Leipzig frontman Timo Werner, who is also hot property in the European market having scored 27 goals in 36 games this term.
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Martinez joined Inter in the summer of 2018 after sealing a £20m switch from Argentinian side Racing Club.
He endured a frustrating debut season at the San Siro, netting a mere nine goals in 35 appearances under Luciano Spalletti.
But the marksman has taken his game to the next level this term under Conte.
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