Timo Werner leads Inter Milan's four-man shortlist in case Lautaro Martinez joins Barcelona - reports

Argentine striker's agent says there is a 'very big possibility' his client will join the Spanish giants this summer

Lautaro Martinez, front, has been linked with a move to Barcelona. If the Argentine does join the Spanish giants, Inter Milan have reportedly put together a four-player shortlist of replacements, who you can view in the next four photos in this gallery. AFP

RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, second left. Reuters

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial. EPA

Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic. Reuters

Lille striker Victor Osimhen. AFP

Inter Milan have made a shortlist of four strikers, led by RB Leipzig's Timo Werner, in case Lautaro Martinez joins Barcelona, according to reports in Italy.

Martinez, 22, has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish champions Barca, with the Argentine's agent, Sergio Zarate, saying last week there was a "very big possibility" his client would move to the Camp Nou this summer.

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti made it clear that the club want to keep Martinez, but Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that the Serie A giants are evaluating potential replacements in case he leaves.

The Italian daily claims Germany international Werner is Inter's top target, although the club is likely to face competition from Bayern Munich and, possibly, Liverpool.

Behind Werner, Manchester United forward Anthony Martial reportedly remains of interest to Inter and manager Antonio Conte, who tried to sign the Frenchman last summer. However, Inter are aware that Martial would be an expensive alternative given his increased importance in the United side under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Gazzetta claims that should Inter fail in their attempts to land Werner or Martial, next on the list is Real Madrid's Luka Jovic, who has so far struggled to cement a place in Zinedine Zidane's team since his €60 million (Dh240m) move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

One potential option, according to the report, would be for Inter to take Jovic on a season-long loan deal with the option to make the move permanent if both clubs agreed at the end of next season.

The fourth player on the list is reported to be Lille's Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who has also been linked with a move to Manchester United.

A recent report from Gazzetta had also claimed that Inter would enquire about a swap deal with Barca that would see France World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann move to Italy and Martinez go to Spain. 

However, Spanish news outlet Marca later claimed such a deal would not be welcomed by Barca, who have no intention of losing Griezmann even if it meant improving their chances of signing Martinez.

___________________________

Take the ultimate AC-Inter Milan quiz