Lionel Messi has called Inter striker Lautaro Martinez and “wants him by his side soon”, claims Racing’s president of youth football Adrian Ruben Fernandez, with a move to Barcelona considered to be “almost there”.
The Argentina international has emerged as a top target for the Liga champions.
A lucrative contract offer has been readied at Camp Nou, with Barca now working on an agreement with their European rivals in Milan.
Fernandez, who helped put Lautaro on a path to stardom when spotting his potential in South America, believes a big-money deal is now a matter of time – with Messi having made it clear he wants a fellow countryman to become the “ideal heir” to current No.9 Luis Suarez.
“Messi called him and wants him by his side soon, I have no doubt,” Fernandez told Sport.
“For that reason, the deal to sign him is almost there.
“I know things will go well in Barcelona and that Lautaro will be an excellent replacement for Suarez. He's the ideal heir. Thanks to Barca he will continue to grow as a player and a man.
“In terms of Argentine players, he has the same qualities as Sergio Aguero. I think he's on that path and will have a successful career like him. I would even say Lautaro is better in the air and much better with his left foot, but he will have to prove that with time. I hope he can.
“Going to play with the best player in the world, who is still 32 and has three or four years ahead of him... to be Messi's team-mate can make him even better and help him with the national team. Lautaro and Leo will improve their understanding on the pitch.”
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