Rakitić and Vidal to stay, Barcelona still want Martínez - report

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Barcelona are set to meet with Inter Milan

FC Barcelona is reportedly going to meet with Inter Milan, as well as Lautaro Martínez’s agents, this week as the two sides meet in the UEFA Champions League.

On the agenda apart from the Argentine striker are Ivan Rakitić and Arturo Vidal.

Inter are reportedly interested in both midfielders, and rumors of a possible swap plus cash deal have floated around.

However, the latest information seems to suggest both will stay for the time being.

Mundo Deportivo is full of praise for the Croatian, saying the player has behaved professionally when out of the team and now that he has picked up more minutes, given the team balance. For that reason, Barça will not let him go, they say, at least not until June. This, despite the fact that Corriere dello Sport reports that Juventus have not given up on the idea of signing him.

MD also says that Vidal will stay unless a “monstrous” offer comes for him, which at the moment, is not expected.

Still, that does not mean the Martínez deal is dead. But there are roadblocks.

ESPN reports that Barcelona see the Argentine as the ideal heir to Luis Suárez. In fact, they have reportedly all but ruled out Erling Braut Håland of Red Bull Salzburg, another striker who is a hot commodity these days, and think the only option as good as Martínez is Kylain Mbappé, who Paris Saint-Germain will almost certainly not sell.

But, there is one problem - his cost. Inter will ask for at least 100 million for their prized striker, and it seems Barcelona are not willing to part with that much money for him. If that is the case, they will look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements. Neymar is still said to be on the table, after all. The report says there is a list of potential strikers the club could look for if they cannot get a better deal on Martínez.

Source: barcablaugranes.com