Inter Milan eye Martinez-Griezmann swap deal with Barca

Italian giant Inter Milan would consider swapping their prized asset Lautaro Martinez for Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann in a sensational swap deal.

Barca see Martinez as the long-term successor to Luis Suarez and he is their priority transfer target this summer.

The 22-year-old arrived in Milan just two years ago for £19.5m from Argentine side Racing Club and still has three years left on his current deal with Inter.

And Inter are reluctant to let their prized asset go though after he has emerged as one of their key players thanks to 16 goals across all competitions so far this season.

But, according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport on Tuesday, Inter would consider a swap deal with the Catalan giants if it was to include Griezmann.

The Frenchman only moved to the Nou Camp last summer for £108m after drawn-out negotiations with Atletico Madrid.

But his form has been far from consistent, with just 14 goals in 37 appearances, and his failure to strike up a partnership with Lionel Messi has led some to consider his future already.

It is thought Barcelona want Martinez to slot in alongside Messi and Griezmann and provide competition for Suarez before he calls time on his playing career so it remains to be seen if they would consider Inter’s proposal.

Barcelona would be willing to throw midfielder Arturo Vidal into the deal though, according to Corriere dello Sport.

They claim Barcelona are willing to meet Martinez’s €111million (£97m) release clause and are willing to involve the Chilean midfielder in the deal.

While reports continuously link Martinez away from the club, Inter’s vice-president Javier Zanetti believes the striker is ‘happy’ at the club and is confident they can keep hold of the Argentine.

‘At Inter I see him happy, he identifies with the club,’ Zanetti told ESPN

‘We believed in him. I see his future at Inter.’