The rise of Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez has been a rapid one having made his professional debut for Argentina side Racing club de Avellaneda in 2015, coming on as a second half substitute for former Inter Milan striker Diego Milito.
Fast forward in the 2016/17 season, he benefited from an injury to Racing Club’s regular striker Lisandro Lopez and made the best of the opportunity, finding the back of the net 9 times in 23 outings and before leaving in the club in the summer of 2018, he has scored 27 times in 60 appearances.
The 22-year-old signed a 5-years contract with The Nerazzurri for a fee in the region of €22.7m and was fortunate, benefiting from Inter striker Mauro Icardi’s situation at the club as he started almost every matches during the season. Even scoring one and assisting another in Inter Milan’s 3-2 win over city rivals in the Milan derby.
The Argentine now has 16 goals in 31 appearances for the Italian club this season including one away in the Champions league against FC Barcelona, forming a deadly partnership with Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku. He has also carried his rich vein of form into the Argentina National Team, scoring 9 in 17 outings for La Albiceleste.
Current reports are suggesting that FC Barcelona are interested in sealing a deal for the young striker if the coronavirus outbreak does not hamper them financially.
Lionel Messi has last month praised his countryman, he was reported to have said: “He’s spectacular.
“He has impressive qualities. You could tell he was going to be a great player and he is showing that.
“He’s very strong, really good one on one, scores a lot of goals and in the area he fights with anyone, holds it up, he can turn, scrap to win it all on his own. He has a lot of quality. He’s very complete.”
With Barcelona also linked with move for their former player Neymar, and Messi is keen to be reunited with the Brazilian, Barcelona could prioritise Neymar but the €222m requested by PSG might also force Barcelona to look elsewhere.
Martinez holds the advantage of age and will be cheaper alternative to the Brazilian but should Barcelona make a breakthrough in the Neymar saga, they will not completely forgo the Argentine as they will not want to lose such a player who also seem to be interested in joining to a rival club.
Moreso, Luiz Suarez is aging and is in the final year of his contract, the Catalan club could look at Martinez as a potential replacement for their Uruguian striker. It could well play to the advantage of Martinez as he plays well as a number 9.
Moreover, Antonie Griezmann’s relationship with Lionel Messi not showing much positives and the World Cup winner has had a quiet debut season at the club, Messi will always prefer his countryman at the club and Barcelona will look to ensure the happiness of their legend, hence, it could well spell the end of the Frenchman’s adventure at the club.
