Barcelona and Messi are shocked by Martinez’s treacherous act
The La Liga Santander is practically done and dusted for Barcelona and if Real Madrid secures all three points today in the much-anticipated fixture against Villarreal, the Los Blancos would be crowned champions of Spain at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
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Quique Setien and his coaching staff have no other option but to focus all their attention on the return leg against Napoli which will be played in the Camp Nou. The Catalans have an advantage over the Italians due to their crucial away goal which was scored by Antoine Griezmann at the San Paolo Stadium. A clean sheet is all Barca requires against Napoli at the Camp to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The summer market is another aspect that the Blaugrana has been keeping a sharp eye on and now they finally have a chance to snatch their prime target, Lautaro Martinez, whose 111 million euro clause has expired and is now valued at 90 million euros.
However, Barcelona face a major set back in their pursuit for the wanted striker as Real Madrid and Manchester City have entered the race as well.
The treacherous act performed by Lautaro Martinez.
Diaro GOL reports that the Argentine forward has grown tired waiting for Barca to make an official bid and the striker has no intention to sign for the club to only be benched by Luis Suarez who will continue to be the first-choice striker of the club due to his strong influence at the club.
The former Liverpool striker has deteriorated with age as the 33-year-old striker has struggled with injuries almost all season long. Suarez is on a contract until the summer of 2021 and due to his political ties along with his friendship at the club, there is no way that Setien will bench the former Premier League target man.
Lautaro Martinez certainly does not want to continue another year at San Siro and nor does he want to move to a club where a 33-year-old would be the first choice striker ahead of him. Having said that, the report from Diaro GOL states that Martinez has considered a move to either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Real currently lack a goal scorer as the club has been heavily reliant of Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos to perform this season. Eden Hazard, Asensio, Rodrygo, and Vinicius are not the typical goal-scoring forwards. Meanwhile, Luka Jovic who is a lethal proven goalscorer has not been given the chance this season and it seems like Madrid is willing to sell him.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is on the look for a replacement for Sergio Aguero and has considered Martinez to be the ideal one. Despite having Jesus on his side, the former Barca coach still doubts the quality of Jesus to become a regular starter.
In fact, both Manchester City and Real Madrid are in a better position financially than Barcelona for the summer market. Barca must act quickly to devise a plan to sign Martinez before he gets shipped off to the capital of Spain or to Manchester in England.