Barcelona identifiy Lautaro Martinez alternative amid financial woes

Barcelona have earmarked Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak as a potential transfer target if they fail to broker a deal for Inter star Lautaro Martinez, claims The Independent.

The Spanish giants have made signing Luis Suarez's long-term replacement their top priority this summer and Martinez is the club's overwhelming first-choice target.

Despite interest from Manchester United, Martinez has reportedly made it clear he wants to link up with compatriot Leo Messi at Barcelona if he leaves Inter.

Inter players are even convinced Martinez will join Barcelona this summer but the global outbreak of COVID-19 could throw the move into jeopardy.

Barcelona were already in financial difficulty prior to football being suspended but the pandemic has thrown the club into further trouble.

Martinez has a £96m release clause in his existing Inter contract and Antonio Conte's side are well within their right to demand that fee given the striker's growing reputation.

There is now a growing feeling Barcelona will have to sell before they can buy and that in itself is problematic as they are struggling for buyers for their underperforming players.

It has now emerged Barcelona are drawing up contingency plans in case they can not afford to sign Martinez and Sociedad starlet Isak has propped up on the club's radar.

After struggling to make an impact at Borussia Dortmund, Isak has flourished since moving to Spain in the summer.

Sociedad were patient with Isak at the start of the season but the 20-year-old has forced his way into the first-team reckoning since the turn of the year.

Isak has only started nine of his 27 league appearances for Sociedad this season but has returned seven goals in that time at a conversion rate of 20.6%.