LAUTARO MARTINEZ will reject a Barcelona transfer and no longer wants to leave Inter Milan because of the Lionel Messi saga, according to reports.
Barca had identified the Inter striker, 23, as a summer target and a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez.
Lautaro Martinez will reportedly stay at Inter Milan following the shambles at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Catalan giants were at one stage ready to stump up as much as the £97million release clause for the Argentine forward.
But according to Corriere dello Sport in Italy, Martinez – who scored 21 in 49 last season – has been put off a move to the Nou Camp by the events currently unfolding.
Instead, he could be on course to pen a new contract at the San Siro – with no release clause – especially if he cannot link up with his hero in Spain.
As revealed by SunSport, Manchester City are also weighing up a move for Martinez as the successor to Sergio Aguero’s centre-forward spot.
Messi, 33, sent shockwaves across the football world by telling Barcelona he wants to quit the club he joined nearly 20 years ago.
Martinez’s international team-mate’s future remains unclear with a move to Manchester City the most likely destination should he make an exit.
Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong described the situation as a “mess” and “chaos”.
He said: “Currently it’s a mess at Barcelona, so many strange things happening, it’s chaos.
Lionel Messi could be about to wave goodbye to the Nou Camp club after nearly 20 yearsCredit: AFP or licensors
“But if Messi really leaves, it will be a huge blow to the team and the club.”
His father and agent Jorge admitted it will be “difficult” for the footballer to stay at Barcelona.
Messi Sr jetted in to Barcelona from Argentina for showdown talks over his son’s future this morning.
And as he was entering the club offices, he admitted to El Chiringuito TV that his son is highly likely to leave.
Messi is now locked in dispute with the Spanish giants over after claiming that a release clause in his contract allows him to quit for nothing with immediate effect.
Nou Camp officials believe the stipulation expired on June 10, with the Argentine superstar under contract until the summer of 2021.
Messi’s dad and agent, Jorge, is in Barcelona for showdown talks with the Catalan side’s hierarchyCredit: EPA
Martinez was originally thought to be keen to link up with Messi at the Nou CampCredit: Reuters
And LaLiga have backed the Catalan giants, insisting Messi’s €700m (£629m) buy-out clause is still valid.
Reports add that Manchester City have agreed a stunning £623m deal with Messi agreed.
The incredible contract would make the Argentine the highest-paid individual in the history of the sport.
It equates to £14,200 an hour, £341,000 per day, £2.4m every week and a whopping £10.4m per month.
Messi is set to spend three seasons at the Etihad before joining City Football Group’s Major League Soccer side New York City FC for two years.
Messi’s father lands in Barcelona amid reports of FC Barcelona meeting
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
