Manchester City going all out to sign Lautaro Martinez (Sky Sports)

Barcelona had hoped they would have a free run at signing Lautaro Martinez once the Champions League had finished in August, yet in now appears that Manchester City will go with everything to complete the signing of the Argentine forward.

Buoyed by the CAS ruling that removed their two-year ban from UEFA competitions, although curiously still fined the Manchester club, Txiki Begiristain and co. are ready to splash their bottomless pits of cash to refresh Pep Guardiola's team this summer.

Having not adequately replaced Vincent Kompany last summer, a central defender is likely to be on the agenda with Kalidou Koulibaly being earmarked as a possible recruit if Napoli miss out on Champions League qualification.

Yet, according to Sky Sports, it is in attack that the Blues will look to blow everyone out of the water in the market by spending over €100million on Lautaro.

Barcelona's problematic fiscal situation lends City an advantage in this direct chase, especially as rumours emerged of the club taking a huge loan on Wednesday.

Manchester City would give Lautaro a much more lucrative contract than Los Cules, and they wouldn't have any trouble negotiating a swap deal with Inter Milan.

Sergio Aguero is believed to be ready to leave the club and return to Argentine when his contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in June 2021, leaving the English club with a need to find a long-term replacement.

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                                                                                                                           Saif