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‘One of the best in the world’: Fernando Morientes loves reported Liverpool target

Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
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Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images

Liverpool linked Argentine Lautaro Martinez has been labelled one of the finest centre-forwards in world football by ex-Anfield ace Fernando Morientes, speaking to Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona have more reasons than most to lament an unprecedented situation which has flipped the beautiful game onto it’s head – and not just because they were leading the La Liga table when the 2019/20 season was put on ice.

According to ESPN, the Catalan kings have seen their summer transfer budget wiped out by an ongoing financial nightmare.

As a result, any chances Barca had of luring Inter Milan talisman Lautaro Martinez to the Camp Nou appear to have been scuppered – at least for the time being.

Marca claims that Liverpool are lurking ominously in the rear-view mirror and Morientes, a former Reds striker, would certainly be pleased to see the all-action South American score goals for fun at his old stomping ground.

“In Spain, we were lucky to enjoy great Argentine players and coaches. They have a competitive gene that is very difficult to find anywhere in the world,” the Real Madrid legend explains.

Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

“Barcelona is very interested in buying him (Martinez). He is a very interesting player. He has a very good vision of the game.

“He is one of the best forwards in the world at the moment.”

Martinez has produced 16 goals in all competitions for Inter this season, forging a fearsome partnership with Romelu Lukaku while earning praise from some of football’s most influential figures, including Lionel Messi and Fabio Capello.

Though with Jurgen Klopp telling Sky that Liverpool cannot afford to sign top-class talents like Timo Werner and Kai Havertz as long as things remain up in the air, the smart money is on Martinez spending another 12 months at the San Siro.

Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool Football Club is Presented with the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for January at Melwood Training Ground on February 14, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Barrington Coombs/Getty Images for Premier League)