Barcelona legend Xavi has backed Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez and Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar to make the switch to the Camp Nou during the next transfer window.
Martinez and Neymar have been identified as the main summer targets for the Blaugrana and the former has already been tipped to join the Spanish champions through his representative.
Speaking to DjMaRiiO on Post United, Xavi said that he has a liking for Martinez’s qualities in the final third of the pitch and backed the Blaugrana’s pursuit of the Argentine.
“I like him. He gets away from his marker well, stretches the play, plays in space, in small space too, Barcelona are doing well to be interested,” he told.
Meanwhile, Xavi also fancied Neymar to make the comeback with the Catalan giants and said that the Brazilian would make the difference at his former club.
“Why not? Football-wise, I have no doubt. I was with him in the dressing room and he seems a great person to me. He was professional here and would make the difference,” he added.
Martinez currently has a £102m release clause on his contract and that remains a substantial figure for the Blaugrana to trigger, particularly with the financial impact because of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, a recent report from Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that they could sign Martinez for a significantly lower price, should they allow Antoine Griezmann move in the opposite direction as a makeweight.
Meanwhile, Neymar is reportedly valued at around £135m. There have been similar suggestions that Griezmann could be key to lowering the asking price by joining Les Parisiens in a part-exchange deal.
Judging by this, Griezmann seems likely to head through the exit door after just one season with Barcelona.
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