Barcelona are plotting an audacious €112m bid for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez, according to stunning reports in Argentina.
The Argentine star, 21, has impressed during his debut season in Italy and continued over his fine form during his country's Copa América campaign.
And now Argentine radio station Radio La Red claims that the Spanish champions have identified Martínez as a long-term successor for Luis Suárez.
Inter snapped up the Argentina international from Racing Club last summer for a reported fee of €22.7m.
And Martínez's former employers would profit on his sale to Barcelona as they included a ten per cent sell-on clause in his Inter deal.
Martínez's contract at the San Siro will expire in 2023, but Barcelona feel confident in pushing the transfer through.
According to Football Espana, the Inter star reportedly has a €112m release clause in his current deal.
Inter could be ready to cut ties with Martínez in order to raise the funds needed to sign Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, who has been linked with an exit from Old Trafford.
Martínez and fellow Argentine teammate Mauro Icardi have both been linked with exits from the club and could find their playing time reduced under new boss Antonio Conte if they stay at the San Siro.
But Martínez, who has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, has shown what a talent he is for his current club after making 35 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine times and registering two assists.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has also put faith in Martínez during the Copa América and his faith has been rewarded in the player, who scored in back-to-back matches against Qatar and Venezuela.
While Barcelona haven't made an official move for Martínez, he might be open to leaving Italy and heading to the Camp Nou.
The player's agent, Carlos Alberto Yaqué, said that they haven't been approached by Barcelona.
"I heard the rumours about Barcelona because the truth is nobody has spoken to us," he told Passione Inter.
"It's only rumours at this stage. I have no idea how Inter would react, you'd need to ask them. If he's happy in Milan? That's something only he can say."
But Yaqué did say that Martínez's happiness at Inter depends on how much football he plays at the club.
"Lautaro is happy at Inter, but he wants to play and that's logical," he told Fox Sports.
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