Eric Abidal Speaks on Barcelona’s Interest in Lautaro Martínez as Luis Suárez Is Tipped for Boca

​Barcelona director Eric Abidal has confirmed that the club are monitoring Inter forward Lautaro Martínez as part of their search for a replacement for Luis Suárez.

La Blaugrana have been on the lookout for alternatives to 32-year-old Suárez – something which the Uruguayan himself insisted ​he has no problems with – and Martínez’s name is understood to be on their shortlist.

Eric Abidal

Speaking to ​Mundo Deportivo, Abidal revealed that he is a huge fan of Martínez, but he did insist that ​Barcelona are looking at a number of options.

“Yes, he is a complete player, I think he is performing at a great level,” Abidal admitted. “He is a player we know, but there are other players who also have a lot of quality.

“I know Barça. I know what adaptation is like, but I don’t pay much attention to the player who plays every week. Instead, I look at others.”

Lautaro Martinez

Abidal also went on to discuss ​Suárez, insisting the Uruguayan has always been told the truth about his future at the club and about Barcelona’s interest in other strikers.

“I am transparent with the players, Luis can tell you because last year I already told him that it was going to be like this, that we were going to look for an attacker, and he accepted that because he wants what is best for the team,” Abidal confessed.

With Barcelona looking for new forwards, Suárez’s future at the club has come into question. A move to Major League Soccer has been touted, but journalist Martín Castilla told CNN Radio (via ​Sport) that Suárez could even end up joining Argentinian side Boca Juniors.

Luis Suarez

That move could come down to who wins the club’s presidential elections in early December, but a switch to fellow Argentinian side San Lorenzo could also be an option for Suárez in the near future.

Castilla noted that Suárez may not be prepared to leave the ‘highest level’ just yet. However, the options will likely be there for him if he decides to call time on his career at Camp Nou.


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