Premier League Clubs Eye Antoine Griezmann & Mauro Icardi as Lautaro Martinez Prioritises Barcelona

Exclusive - Inter striker Lautaro Martínez is focused on joining Barcelona this summer, in a move which could, in turn, see Antoine Griezmann or Mauro Icardi head to the Premier League with Manchester City and Chelsea both on the lookout for a new striker.

Barcelona want a young striker to compete with and eventually replace Luis Suárez, and Martínez has been identified as the ideal candidate, although affording the deal could be problematic.

Lautaro Martínez

A source has confirmed to 90min that Martínez is top of ​Barcelona's wish list this summer and the 22-year-old's priority is to seal a move to Camp Nou, regardless of what other options (Chelsea and Man City are also interested) become available.

SPORT note that Martínez has rejected the chance to extend his contract with ​Inter in the hope of joining Barcelona, even though that proposal included a higher wage than would be on offer at Camp Nou.

However, La Blaugrana will have to sell some players to balance their books first. ​Ivan Rakitić, Samuel Umtiti and ​Ousmane Dembélé could all be pushed towards the exit door, and club officials are also even open to parting ways with Griezmann just one year after his controversial €120m move.

Antoine Griezmann

Despite contributing 14 goals and four assists in 37 appearances before play was suspended, the Frenchman has failed to impress on the whole, and Barcelona are now open to parting ways with him to facilitate their move for Martínez.


90min understands that a move to the ​Premier League for Griezmann is a possibility, with at least two of England's richest sides on the lookout for a new forward this summer.


​Chelsea and ​Manchester City are keen to recruit in the position and have both looked closely at Martínez. However, even though they both remain keen, they have been informed that the Argentine wants to join Barcelona, so they are prepared to look elsewhere.

Beyond Martinez and Griezmann, another potential option for the two English sides is fellow Inter striker ​Icardi, who has enjoyed an impressive campaign out on loan with Paris Saint-Germain this season.

Mauro Icardi

​Chelsea and City have been tracking Icardi for a while and have both retained their interest this year, having seen Icardi struggle to hold down a permanent place in Thomas Tuchel's starting lineup.

PSG do have the chance to sign Icardi permanently this summer, but there are rumblings that they will not exercise that contractual option. In the event that he returns to Inter, Chelsea and City are contemplating launching bids of their own.


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Source : 90min