Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'ask Jorge Mendes to help them sign Inter Milan's Lautarto Martinez'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 13 September 2020

Barcelona ask agent Jorge Mendes to help them offload players in order to raise funds for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, according to a report.

Barcelona have reportedly approached super agent Jorge Mendes for assistance as they look to strike a deal for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

With Luis Suarez looking likely to depart Camp Nou during the transfer window, Martinez has been tipped to become the Uruguayan's successor at Barcelona.

The Catalan giants have been linked with a move for Martinez for several months, but given the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic, Barca have reportedly been reluctant to table a bid.

With Martinez's release clause at Inter understood to be set at €111m (£102m), Corriere dello Sport claims that Barca have asked Mendes to help them offload players in order to raise the required funds.

Ronald Koeman has already waved goodbye to Ivan Rakitic in his early days as manager, and the report claims that defender Junior Firpo could be offered to Inter as part of a deal for Martinez.

However, the Argentine could supposedly still put pen to paper on a new contract with the Serie A giants, with his current one set to expire in 2023.

Martinez notched up 21 goals and seven assists from 49 appearances in all competitions last season.