Barcelona head coach Quique Setien talked up Inter forward Lautaro Martinez and said lining up alongside Lionel Messi was a “huge incentive” for players.

“We talk about transfers, but this pandemic is going to condition many things. The situation of the clubs will be economically complicated,” he told Onda Cero.

“I am not pessimistic or optimistic with Lautaro. I like how I like great footballers, but I have no illusions with any.”

But when pressed on the matter, the Blaugrana coach praised the forward’s talent – and said playing alongside Messi could attract transfer targets to Barcelona.

“Lautaro Martinez is a great footballer,” Setien told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Messi likes him? We will have to ask him. All good players can attract Barcelona’s interest.

“As well as the fact that for many the fact of being able to play with Leo represents a huge incentive. Who wouldn’t want to play with Messi?”

Martinez had scored 16 goals in 31 games for Inter before this season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He struck up a fine partnership alongside Romelu Lukaku, while also shining at international level in tandem with Messi.

Not everybody, however, is convinced a move to Barcelona is the right call.

“If I were him, I would stay at Inter, because at Barca he would be a substitute,” coaching great Fabio Capello signalled in a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.