Barcelona have ‘cooled interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as they prioritise a move for Lautaro Martinez’ this summer.

Arsenal striker Aubameyang is on the wishlist of a number of leading European sides but the Daily Star reports that Barcelona are focusing their attentions on in-form Inter Milan striker Martinez.

The Gunners could cash in on their star man with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2021 and with Barcelona dropping interest, it comes as a boost to another reported suitor, Manchester United.

The report details how Arsenal feel Barcelona have persistently ‘tried to unsettle’ the Gabon striker with links of a move to LaLiga ahead of next season. 

Aubameyang has insisted he is happy in north London but the 30-year-old is yet to commit to a new contract and the club could move him on, rather than see him follow the lead of Aaron Ramsey and leave on a free transfer.  

Arsenal paid Borussia Dortmund a club record fee of £56million for the Gabon international in January 2018. 

Along with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be interested in signing the striker and would be able to offer him Champions League football assuming the competition goes ahead as planned next season. 

Martinez has been one of the best performers in Serie A this season as Inter produced a fierce title battle with Juventus. 

Inter manager Antonio Conte is determined to retain the services of the Argentine forward but the report details how Barcelona have made acquiring Martinez a priority ahead of any move for Aubameyang. 

Quique Setien is under no illusions that he needs to bolster his attacking options come the end of the season.  

Such was the club’s crisis this season, Spanish football chiefs granted Barcelona the chance to make a signing outside of the January window due to long-term problems for both Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele.

Barcelona paid the release clause for Leganes striker Martin Braithwaite to ease their forward crisis; it is an area they are focused on addressing ahead of the 2021-22 season.