Barcelona finally prepare official offer for chief target

MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 11: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mate Romelu Lukaku (L) after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 11, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 11: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mate Romelu Lukaku (L) after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 11, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Barcelona are preparing a hefty bid for the highly demanded striker as they continue their search for a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez.

TNT Sports via Daily Mail reports that Barcelona are ready to bid for the Argentine hotshot during the January transfer window itself as they are in desperate need of a proper no. 9 after the latest injury to Luis Suarez.

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The Catalan giants are preparing close to a whopping €120 million (£100 million) bid for the 22-year-old after his excellent display with Inter Milan alongside teammate Romelu Lukaku.

The promising youngster has managed to score 15 goals along with 3 assists in 25 appearances for the Serie A side this season. He has linked up well with Romelu Lukaku, who has scored 18 goals in 26 matches this season, displaying Lautaro’s ability to potentially link up with Barca’s goalscorer Lionel Messi, in the future.

He is currently under contract until the summer of 2023 but with Barca in immediate need of a striker and other European giants like Manchester United and Manchester City also appearing as a possible destination for the Argentine, anything is possible.

United are also looking for a solid striker to lead the way while Guardiola’s City are looking for a replacement for Sergio Aguero.

There is an existing contract valid for the first two weeks in July 2020 that sets the striker’s release clause to  €111 million, but Blaugrana are trying to secure him now itself, rather than signing a short-term replacement for Suarez and potentially risking or delaying Martinez’s move to the Nou Camp.

Would you like Barca to sign the star striker in January itself?