Fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays reports claiming that Barcelona believe they will beat City and Manchester United to the summer signing of Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Pep Guardiola had identified the Argentine forward as a potential replacement for Sergio Aguero.
However, the reports go on to claim that Barcelona are prepared to trigger his £102.5 million buy-out clause in order to land Martinez, and are confident of landing the striker ahead of both Manchester clubs.
In reaction to the reports, which were relayed by City Chief on Twitter, fans of the club have flocked to have their say on the matter, with the majority questioning how Barcelona will be able to afford the player while still complying with FFP rules.
?| Barcelona believe they will beat Manchester City and Man United to Argentine ace Lautaro Martinez.
The La Liga Champions are prepared to trigger his £102.5million buy-out clause to land him.
[Daily Mirror] pic.twitter.com/SiLnYtnQPm
— City Chief (@City_Chief) March 22, 2020
Presume Tebas is outraged by their spending?
— Ben Warrender (@B99W) March 22, 2020
But we’re the ones ruining the market ?????
— Jack (@Black_jack773) March 22, 2020
Gabriel Jesus is better than him
— Kriss Michaels (@Kriss0077) March 22, 2020
Yet city are the ones ruining football. Good to know.
— Peyton (@PeytonDickerson) March 22, 2020
Of course they will as we all know @UEFA FFP laws do not apply to them
— Paul (@Paul24677815) March 22, 2020
That ban ain’t happening
— Vin (@Calvinroche1) March 22, 2020
What do we think?
It should be noted, according to the reports in the Daily Mirror, that Inter are also very keen to keep Martinez beyond this summer, and it is not difficult to see why.
The £72 million-rated forward has been in exceptional form for the Nerazzurri so far this season, scoring 12 goals in 22 Serie A appearances, in addition to a further five goals in six Champions League fixtures.
As such, it would appear that wherever the Argentine ends up this summer, the club with which the 22-year-old is playing next season will be in possession of one of European football’s most exciting prospects.