Barcelona have been encouraged with Lautaro Martinez facing the Inter Milan bench tonight.

The two clubs have been in talks since before Christmas over a deal for the striker, whose contract carries a €111m buyout clause.

It's been claimed the option expired on July 7, however Cadena SER says an agreement exists between the two clubs that the price should remain for the entire summer market.

Martinez has already struck personal terms with Barca - news of which has angered many inside Inter.

Indeed, there's a belief that Martinez's form has fallen away due to the agreement and he is facing the bench for tonight's game against Hellas Verona.