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Rivaldo sends warning to Lautaro Martinez over Barcelona transfer


Lautaro has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou (Picture: Getty Images)

Rivaldo has warned Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez he won’t be guaranteed a starting place if he completes a move to Barcelona this summer.

The 22-year-old is Barca’s number one priority target and the club are reportedly ready to activate his €111 million (£99.6m) release clause.

Given the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis, the Spanish giants are expected to fund the move by allowing one of their own players to move to Inter as part of a swap deal.

The Argentinian striker could be lined up as 33-year-old Luis Suarez’s successor, but Barcelona legend Rivaldo thinks the Uruguyan has ‘two or three years’ left at the top level and a lack of playing time could frustrate Martinez.

‘Barcelona seem to be keen to sign Lautaro Martínez and he is a great player that could fit in well at the club, especially as he is still young,’ Rivaldo wrote in his Betfair column.

‘Luís Suárez, the player could replace in the long term, is not getting any younger but he probably has at least two or three more years at the highest level.

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‘The arrival of the promising Argentinian forward for around €100m would suggest that he is coming to be a starter, but unfortunately for him Suárez is still first choice up front and that might be a problem for Lautaro.

‘If Barcelona are thinking about the Suárez succession in advance then Martínez would be an excellent signing.

‘Inter are asking for a big fee and, with the coronavirus crisis causing clubs financial damage, Barcelona need to evaluate the situation and decide if they have enough money to complete the transfer.’

Barcelona also want to bring Neymar back to Camp Nou, but PSG’s €198 million (£176m) valuation has priced the Spanish club out of making a move and Rivaldo believes his former club have to decide between signing the Brazil international or Martinez.

‘Barça’s interest in Lautaro could mean that the club have give up on Neymar’s signing, as I think it is almost impossible to sign both players at the same time.

‘Barcelona need to focus on landing just one of them and seal the deal. Either of them would be a good signing, but the club needs to think about the amounts involved and also about their manager’s wishes.

‘What is the position that Quique Setien wants to reinforce now? Which player would be better suited to his plans? Only Setien knows.’

MORE: How Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele responded to Liverpool interest

MORE: Barcelona ask Lionel Messi and team to take another pay cut ahead of La Liga restart

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