Barcelona 'will not pay Lautaro Martinez release clause'

Barcelona are reluctant to trigger the £98m release clause in Lautaro Martinez's Inter Milan contract, according to a report.

The Argentina international is believed to be one of two big-name targets for the La Liga giants ahead of the next transfer window, along with Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar.

Real Madrid are also believed to be keen on striking a deal for Martinez, but any interested party will have to buy out the 22-year-old's contract, which still has three years left to run.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims that with players being asked to take a 70% salary cut in wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Barcelona are unable to justify spending big to land Martinez.

Barca are said to be aware of the striker's interest in joining them, but they are now re-evaluating their transfer plans and may have to look elsewhere for a new attacker.