Barcelona ‘want to sign BOTH Neymar and Lautaro Martinez this summer’

Barcelona ‘want to sign BOTH Neymar and Lautaro Martinez this summer’ to form dream forward line alongside Lionel Messi as Nou Camp chiefs say money will be available for new players despite coronavirus crisis

  • Reports in Spain say Barcelona are still planning spending spree this summer
  • It comes despite the squad taking 70 per cent pay cut amid coronavirus crisis
  • Mundo Deportivo report they want to buy both Neymar and Lautaro Martinez
  • Barca hope PSG’s asking price of £160m for Neymar will be pushed down
  • Inter Milan’s Argentine striker Martinez has a release clause of just under £100m
  • Barca reportedly want to see Messi, Neymar and Martinez in dream front three 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Barcelona ‘believe they can sign both Neymar and Lautaro Martinez this summer’ to form a dream forward line alongside Lionel Messi.

Despite the Barcelona squad being forced to take a 70 per cent salary cut amid the coronavirus crisis, the club’s hierarchy remain confident they can still finance two big money signings.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barca intend to press ahead with their pursuit of Inter Milan forward Martinez and efforts to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp.

Thursday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo says Barcelona want to sign both Neymar and Lautaro Martinez this summer to form a devastating forward line alongside Lionel Messi

Martinez has a £98million release clause inserted into his current Inter Milan contract

PSG would want in the region of £160m if Barcelona were to buy Neymar back

Martinez has a £98m release clause in his Inter deal while Neymar would cost around £160m

Reports in Spain on Wednesday said Barcelona had opened negotiations with both Neymar and Martinez in case one fails to materialise, but Mundo say they wish to buy both.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu is confident Barcelona will have the financial muscle to sign all their transfer targets when the summer window finally opens following the coronavirus shutdown.

The Barcelona squad will take a 70 per cent pay reduction during the pandemic to ensure non-sporting staff receive full wages. 

Brazil star Neymar, 28, who played for Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, is regarded as the player who can return them to Champions League challengers.

Neymar could link back up with Luis Suarez (centre) and Lionel Messi (right) at Barcelona

Neymar could link back up with Luis Suarez (centre) and Lionel Messi (right) at Barcelona

Barcelona hope the coronavirus crisis will persuade PSG to sell Neymar for less than £160m

Barcelona hope the coronavirus crisis will persuade PSG to sell Neymar for less than £160m

Barcelona hope the contraction of market values caused by the coronavirus crisis could lead to PSG lowering their asking price of around £160million.

Martinez, who has scored 16 goals for Inter this season, is also a priority for Barca, who were left short of attacking options when Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele picked up injuries earlier this year. He has a £98m release clause.

That led them to apply for special dispensation from La Liga to sign Martin Brathwaite from Leganes.

Argentine striker Martinez would relish the chance to play alongside Messi at Barcelona

Argentine striker Martinez would relish the chance to play alongside Messi at Barcelona

Barca want to see Messi (pictured) line up alongside Neymar and Lautaro Martinez in attack

Barca want to see Messi (pictured) line up alongside Neymar and Lautaro Martinez in attack

Martinez, 22, is reportedly sold on the idea of playing alongside his Argentina colleague Messi at the Nou Camp next season. Midfielder Arturo Vidal could move the other way to the San Siro as part of the deal.

Spanish clubs are only permitted to register three non-EU players and given that both Neymar and Martinez are South American, a current player, such as Chilean Vidal, would have to depart. Brazilian Arthur Melo is their other non-EU player.

 




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