Inter Milan will ask for French striker Antoine Griezmann in exchange for Lautaro Martinez if Barcelona make a move for their Argentine forward, according to reports.
Martinez has been linked with a move away from Italian giants Inter this summer and his agent, Sergio Zarate, added fuel to the fire earlier this week when he said "there is a very big possibility" the 22-year-old would join Barca.
La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Inter are looking at options should Martinez be sold this summer and Barcelona's Griezmann is on the shortlist of replacements.
The Italian sports daily has claimed that Inter would be prepared to do a swap deal for the two players, considering both have similar buyout clauses: Martinez's clause is €111 million (Dh447m), while Griezmann's is €120m.
However, Spanish news outlet Marca has claimed such a deal would not be welcomed by Barcelona, who have no interest in losing Griezmann even if it meant improving their chances of signing Martinez.
Indeed, it would seem Barca will have to meet Martinez's release clause if they want to take him to the Camp Nou, after Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti insisted the club are determined to keep the striker beyond this season.
"At Inter I see him happy, he identifies with the club," Zanetti told ESPN. "We believed in him. I see his future at Inter.
"But right now we're not talking about the transfer market, the most important thing is health. Then we'll have time to think about it."
However, Zarate responded to Zanetti by saying: "[Inter] may want whatever they want, but then the market rules, as always, and these monsters from Europe [like Barcelona], when they want a player, they go with everything."
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When Antoine Griezmann signs for Barcelona
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Antoine Griezmann poses for the media during his presentation as a a Barcelona player at Camp Nou. EPA -
Antoine Griezmann during a news conference for his unveiling as a Barcelona player. Reuters -
Barcelona's new French forward Antoine Griezmannshakes hands with the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu and football director Eric Abidal, right. AFP -
French striker Antoine Griezmann Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu pose for the media. EPA -
Antoine Griezmann during a news conference for his unveiling as a Barcelona player. Reuters -
Barcelona's French forward Antoine Griezmann takes part in pre-season training at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi near Barcelona. AFP -
French striker Antoine Griezmann Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu pose for the media. EPA -
Barcelona's French forward Antoine Griezmann laughs as he falls during training. AFP -
Antoine Griezmann during training. Reuters -
Barcelona's French forward Antoine Griezmann claps during a training session with his new teammates. AFP -
Barcelona's French forward Antoine Griezmann laughs as he runs alongside his new teammates. AFP -
Antoine Griezmann and teammates during training. Reuters -
Antoine Griezmann and teammates during training. Reuters -
From left: Barcelona's French players Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Antoine Griezmann on their way to training. EPA -
Barcelona's new French forward Antoine Griezmann poses with young Barcelona fans during his official presentation. AFP
