Lionel Messi heaps praise on Barcelona summer target

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has lavished praise on summer target Lautaro Martinez.

The Inter Milan striker turns out to be the top target for the Catalan club following his impressive campaign in Serie A and UCL.

While speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Messi called his compatriot a spectacular player and added that he carries the traits of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez.

He told: "He is spectacular. He was seen to be a great player, now he exploded and is showing it. He is very strong. He has a very good one against one, he has a lot of goals, in the area he fights with anyone.

"Lautaro has a lot of quality. He is very complete. Lautaro has much resemblance to Luis."

The 22-year-old has been long touted as the successor to Suarez, who is in the twilight of his career.

Martinez is also said to be monitored by Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid and are willing to meet his release clause of €111m.