Former Racing Club coach Fabio Radaelli says Lautaro Martinez will be a perfect partner for Barcelona ace Leo Messi.

Barca are chasing the Inter Milan striker - on Messi's recommendation - for the summer market.

And Radaelli, who signed Martinez for Racing, told Mundo Deportivo: "Lautaro can be a great 9 for Messi.

"His features fit perfectly for the Leo game. Inside the area, for example, he is similar to (Luis) Suárez in opportunism and in the way he can convert passes.

"Notice that Lautaro is 23 years old and has already gone through two greats, like Racing and Inter. And now there is talk of Barcelona, Madrid, City. Before there was talk of Dortmund. Lautaro is an animal. Messi knows how to choose."