Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to go for a fair and square Lautaro Martinez swap

Inter Milan's Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, on October 2, 2019. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Inter Milan's Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, on October 2, 2019. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona could finally announce the signing of Luis Suarez‘s potential successor who is wanted at the club by many senior figures.

Barcelona signing Lautaro Martinez looks like an imminent transfer and only a matter of time despite Inter Milan playing hardball. The striker has a release clause of 111 million euros, which is very much within Barca’s reach but the club is still trying all it can to reduce the cash involved in the deal by offering players in exchange.

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Inter Milan have rejected several permutations and combinations of potential swap deals from the Catalans, but Don Balon claims that Lionel Messi has urged Barcelona to include Nelson Semedo in a potential deal as they hope to convince the Italian giants into parting ways with their Argentinian ace on this time of asking.

Nelson Semedo has been caught out of position several times and in spite of his work-rate, his defending is a let-down for the Blaugrana on several occasions in a match. The Portugal international may be replaced in the summer by one of Joshua Kimmich, Adama Traore or Joao Cancelo, so it’s best that he leaves for a team where he can play.

Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system may see Semedo fit in as a right wing-back and he could offer a lot of help to the former Chelsea manager in such a setup. Antonio Candreva and Victor Moses keep alternating between the positions, but with the former now aged 33 and the latter lacking pace, Barca’s man could find his comfort at the San Siro.

Whether the Serie A club is ready to accept Barcelona’s proposal remains to be seen but if the deal goes through, then it would be fair and square for all parties involved. From Barca’s perspective, they may still have a slim glimmer of hope over bringing in Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain if they land Lautaro Martinez for cheaper than expected.

Do you think Barca must offer 111 million euros in cash if Inter Milan deny another swap combination?