Barcelona move for Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez 'a very big possibility'

Spanish champions lead the race to sign Argentine striker, who wants to play alongside Lionel Messi, according to his agent

Inter Milan's Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez, left, celebrates with Romelu Lukaku. AFP

Lautaro Martinez is an Argentina international. EPA

Lautaro Martinez after scoring against Qatar during the Copa America. AFP

Lautaro Martinez, left, has broken into the Argentina national team. AFP

Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku have formed a fearsome strike partnership for Inter Milan. AFP

Lautaro Martinez chest controls the ball during a Serie A match between Inter Milan and Roma. AFP

Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku. Getty

Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez argues with referee Gianluca Manganiello before receiving a red card during the Serie A match against Cagliari. AFP

There is a "very big possibility" that Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez will sign for Barcelona ahead of next season, the player's agent has said.

Martinez, 22, has been one of the stars of the Serie A season, scoring 11 goals in 22 games and forming a formidable partnership with Romelu Lukaku to help Inter become title challengers. The San Siro side are in third place, seven points behind leaders Juventus but with one game more to play.

If or when the Italian football season resumes due to the coronavirus pandemic - which has hit Italy harder than almost any country - remains to be seen.

If the season comes to an early conclusion, it means Martinez may have played his last game for Inter, if the comments of his agent, Sergio Zarate, are anything to go by.

"There is a very big possibility [Martinez will join Barcelona]," Zarate told Fox Sports Mexico. "He is a great player, a tremendous player. That kid has no ceiling."

According to various media reports, there is no shortage of clubs interested in Martinez's services, with Real Madrid and Manchester City also linked with the striker.

However, the possibility of playing alongside compatriot Lionel Messi gives Barca a clear advantage, according to Zarate.

"The one who decides is the player," he said. "With Leo [Messi] there, I think [Martinez] has a little more chance of wanting to go alongside the greatest of all."

Zarate's comments are in contrast to Inter vice president Javier Zanetti, who has insisted Martinez, who joined Inter for €25 million (Dh100m) in 2018 from Racing Club, will remain at the Italian club.

"At Inter I see him happy, he identifies with the club," Zanetti told ESPN. "We believed in him. I see his future at Inter.

"But right now we're not talking about the transfer market, the most important thing is health. Then we'll have time to think about it."

However, Zarate responded to Zanetti by saying: "[Inter] may want whatever they want, but then the market rules, as always, and these monsters from Europe, when they want a player, they go with everything."