Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'prefer Lautaro Martinez to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang'

By Matt Law, Football EditorPublished: 09 February 2020 11:45 PM

Barcelona 'prefer Martinez to Aubameyang'

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez is Barcelona's leading striker target ahead of Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to a report.

Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez will reportedly be Barcelona's leading transfer target during this summer's transfer window.

The Spanish champions could move for a new attacker over the next week if they are granted permission to make an emergency signing due to Ousmane Dembele's hamstring injury.

However, the club are expected to wait until the end of the 2019-20 campaign to officially sign a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez in the final third of the field.

Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been strongly linked with the Catalan giants, and according to 90min, the Gunners forward is on Barca's shortlist ahead of the summer window.

The report, though, claims that Martinez is the Spanish outfit's leading target in an attacking position.

The 22-year-old, who has scored 16 goals in 27 appearances at club level this season, has also been linked with Manchester United but is believed to be desperate to play alongside his fellow Argentine Lionel Messi at Camp Nou.

That said, Inter would allegedly demand that any interested clubs meet the £94m release clause in Martinez's contract before allowing him to leave.