Barcelona can only afford one of Neymar or Lautaro Martinez this summer

Barcelona will have to choose between signing Neymar or Lautaro Martinez as they cannot afford both players this summer, claims ESPN.

Both players were on Barcelona's summer wishlist at the start of the year but the financial implications of COVID-19 means they can now only afford one.

Neymar has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona since first leaving the club to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Despite the fact the Brazilian is reportedly suing Barcelona for up to $7.1M in 'contingency payments', the Spanish side are open to the 28-year-old's return.

There was a point last summer where it seemed Neymar would secure a move back to Barcelona but PSG dug their heels in over his valuation and talks collapsed.

With a move seemingly dead in the water, Barcelona appeared to have moved on and earmarked Inter striker Martinez as their top transfer target.

The Argentina international has been earmarked as Luis Suarez's long-term replacement and is understood to have snubbed Manchester United's interest for Barcelona.

However, Barcelona now have to decide between pursuing a sensational move for Neymar or a low-key, albeit still expensive, bid for Martinez.

Martinez is said to have a €111M (£102.9M) release clause in his current Inter deal that must be triggered in the first two weeks of July.

The 22-year-old has finally cemented himself as a first-team regular for Inter this season following the departure of Mauro Icardi to PSG last summer.

Martinez has returned 11 goals in 22 league appearances for Inter so far in 2019/20, five more than he managed in 27 games across the whole of last season.