Real Madrid hi-jack Barcelona deal for Lautaro Martinez

Real Madrid have stunned Barcelona by agreeing an astonishing €100m deal for Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, claims Sport Mediaset.

Barcelona have been locked in talks with Inter for Martinez all summer but have failed to agree a deal with their Italian counterparts.

The Spanish side cannot afford to match Inter's valuation of the Argentina international and have failed to offload some deadwood to raise funds.

Now Barcelona look set to miss out on Martinez's signature completely, with Madrid now reportedly on the verge of landing the sought after 23-year-old.

Madrid have agreed to forget the €40m owed by Inter for Achraf Hakimi from earlier in the summer, in addition to paying a further €60m for Martinez.

Zinedine Zidane's side are even willing to include out-of-favour striker Luka Jovic as part of the deal on loan for the season.

Inter have reportedly been working on this deal in silence to prevent Barcelona from stopping Arturo Vidal's transfer.

The Serie A outfit are willing to sacrifice Martinez to free up money to make another move for Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is adamant Kante will not leave Stamford Bridge this summer but Conte is keen on reuniting with the 2018 World Cup winner.

Martinez, 23, scored 14 goals and registered three assists in 35 league games for Inter last season and reportedly set his sights on joining Barcelona so he could play with Messi.