Manchester City have earmarked Inter striker Lautaro Martinez as a potential transfer target this summer, claims The Daily Mail.
Pep Guardiola's side are expected to spend big this summer in order to close the gap on Premier League champions Liverpool in the wake of overturning their European ban.
City were successful with their appeal against UEFA's two-year European ban on Monday and are now plotting a huge spending spree at the end of the season.
Strengthening in defence is City's priority but Guardiola is also mulling a new forward with Leroy Sane sold to Bayern Munich and Sergio Aguero's future unclear.
The Argentina international's current deal is due to expire at the end of next season and City may end up signing his long-term replacement now.
There are still question marks over whether Gabriel Jesus has what it takes to succeed Aguero on a full-time basis and Guardiola is interested in Inter star Martinez, who has been dubbed 'the next Aguero'.
Martinez has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona for a number of months, to the point Manchester United ended their own pursuit in the Argentina international.
Barcelona have reportedly agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old but discussions are dead in regards to agreeing a fee with Inter.
Inter have reportedly lowered Martinez's asking price to €90m (£81.9m) after his €111m release clause expired on July 7 but Barcelona still cannot match that fee.
Barcelona are in financial turmoil following COVID-19 and unless they sell first or include players to reduce the fee for Martinez then a deal will not happen.
With talks between Barcelona and Inter progressing no further as things stand, it opens up for the door for City to make their move.
Martinez has reportedly made it clear he only wants to leave Inter if it means joining Lionel Messi at Barcelona but it remains to be seen whether he can be swayed by Guardiola.
Martinez has really kicked on at Inter this season after emerging from Mauro Icardi's shadow and is regarded as one of the brightest strikers in Europe.
The Inter No.10 has scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances this season, but has been let down by a return of just two in his last nine in Serie A.
