Manchester United enter competition with Barcelona for 24-year-old striker

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is back on the agenda for Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window.

The Catalans have been linked with the Argentine forward on multiple occasions in the past, but a move never materialised. However, with there being the possibility that the Nerazzurri consider selling him this year, the Blaugrana are back in the hunt for the 24-year-old.

Barcelona are on the lookout for a marquee striker in the summer and have identified Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund as their top priority. However, in case a move for the Norwegian hitman fails, Martinez is being viewed as Plan B by the Blaugrana board.

But, they are not alone in pursuit of the Inter Milan and Argentina hitman as Manchester United have also entered the fray for his signing reports Calciomercato (h/t Fichajes).

The Red Devils are in the market for a new top-quality centre-forward as Edinson Cavani will be out of contract at the end of the season while Cristiano Ronaldo has turned 37 years old and is seemingly losing his venom in the final third of the pitch.

While Haaland is also an option for the Mancunian giants, they view Lautaro Martinez as a more realistic option and are prepared to push for his capture in the summer.

The report adds that Inter Milan would be open to a sale if interested parties were to shell out a massive sum of €90 million in the summer. Apart from Manchester United and Barcelona, the likes of Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the race.

Martinez has had a stop-start campaign with Inter so far, managing 12 goals and two assists in 33 matches. But his pedigree is well-known and he can be a viable alternative for Barça if they miss out on Haaland.

But with the €90 million valuation and increasing competition, signing Lionel Messi’s compatriot could prove to be a tricky affair.