Transfer Centre

The shirt numbers available to Lautaro Martinez at Barcelona

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 07 April 2020

Amid speculation linking Lautaro Martinez with a move to Barcelona, Sports Mole looks at which shirt numbers could be available at Camp Nou.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez continues to be linked with a big-money move to Barcelona, who have been left short of attacking options this season following injuries to Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez.

Recent reports have suggested that the Catalan giants are increasingly confident they can get a deal over the line for Martinez, who registered 11 goals in 22 Serie A appearances for Antonio Conte's side prior to the coronavirus postponement.

However, the Argentina international is said to have his heart set on a move to Camp Nou, with Inter's proposed new deal of £3.5m a year significantly less than what Barca are prepared to offer.

Manchester City and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the striker, but Catalonia appears to be the most likely destination for the Argentine.

Here, Sports Mole looks at which shirt numbers could be available to Martinez should he make the switch to Barcelona.

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring their first goal against Borussia Dortmund on November 5, 2019 © Reuters

Since arriving at Inter from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez inherited the number 10 shirt which he wore during his final two seasons in Argentina. The striker's current number holds a historic value at San Siro, having been worn by Adriano, Roberto Baggio and Ronaldo down the years.

However, it seems highly unlikely that Martinez would acquire the same shirt number at Barca, with the number 10 jersey at Camp Nou currently held by none other than Lionel Messi. An illustrious selection of players join the Barcelona talisman in doing the number 10 justice, including Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Diego Maradona.

Nevertheless, Inter's former president Massimo Moratti has claimed that the Italian outfit should consider a deal for Messi, and should such a sensational transfer come to fruition, there is every chance that Martinez could be granted the famed number 10 at Camp Nou.

Perhaps a more realistic option would be the number 22 shirt, which has been Martinez's international jersey since his debut for Argentina in 2018.

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez reacts after his goal is disallowed for offside on December 10, 2019 © Reuters

The same number is currently occupied by Arturo Vidal at Camp Nou, although there is every suggestion that the midfielder could be sold by Barcelona this summer, potentially leaving the shirt vacant for a new arrival.

Furthermore, Martinez has been touted as a potential long-term replacement for Suarez, with the Uruguayan currently holding the traditional centre-forward's number nine shirt at Barca.

Should Martinez be granted this jersey in Catalonia, he would be following in the footsteps of some of Barcelona's most celebrated strikers throughout their 120-year history.

Johan Cruyff, Romario, Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are just a few of the legendary names that have been bequeathed with the number nine shirt in the past.

As far as vacant jerseys go, number 14 is currently unoccupied at Camp Nou due to Malcom's exit. In addition, the number seven shirt has been left untouched this season following Philippe Coutinho's loan move to Bayern Munich, and could be up for grabs next season should the Brazilian depart La Liga.