Liverpool are keeping tabs on Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, according to reports in the Spanish media. Barcelona are heavy favourites to land the Argentinian international but there are concerns about how they will pay for the signing.
It is believed the Catalan club have already lost out on €150m (£134m) in revenue since the beginning of the global health crisis, meaning they are finding it hard to stump up the cash to complete a deal for the striker, who has a €111m (£99m) release clause.
It means that the likes of the Reds, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City are all waiting to see what Barca will do. However, fans on Twitter are sceptical about Liverpool’s interest:
This is getting ridiculous now.
— *Matt (@LFC_Matt88) June 7, 2020
We havn’t even got £9 l
— Zak (@ZakLFC7) June 7, 2020
They couldn't pay £48m release clause for Werner, but will pay £99m for Lautaro where they might end up paying £200m in agent fee and wages for 5years.
Next Joke please.
— The Unbearables (@TheUnbearables2) June 7, 2020
£99m that’s impossible?
Might as well chant that we’re getting Messi lmaooooo— MILLY ® (@LFCGOATMILLY) June 7, 2020
The best joke ever.
— Van The Man (@DavidVaughan5) June 7, 2020
Comedy gold
— Mike Wilson* (@Redsmail) June 7, 2020
FSG wouldn’t approve 50m for Werner no way they’re going to double that
— The Marathon Continues ? (@travisnotsc0tt) June 7, 2020
We couldn't afford Werner £52m for financial reasons. So Fake News. ?
— Sir Gini Wijnaldum ??♂️?? (@LiamS6Times) June 7, 2020
This is getting boring now. Just stop it…
— LewisYNWA (@LewYNWA) June 7, 2020
There goes another nonsense rumour.. ????
— Young Ogbe-Edah (@deslink) June 7, 2020
We're not spending £53m on Werner, so we're definitely not spending £100m on him are we.
— Andy (@kud_13) June 7, 2020
Absolutely zero chance this happens
— Steve Sanderson (@sandersonsLFC) June 7, 2020
After baulking at Timo Werner‘s release clause, the likelihood of the Merseyside club shelling out double that amount on Lautaro is very low. Although he would certainly fit into Jurgen Klopp’s system, his price tag means there is very little chance of him moving to Anfield.