Manchester United have been put off a move for Inter's Lautaro Martinez due to the striker's £94m release clause.
The Red Devils remain eager to recruit a new forward on a permanent basis, though they did recently bring in former Watford star Odion Ighalo on a loan deal until the end of the season to provide added depth to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad.
According to the Times, United enquired over the price I Nerazzurri would want for their Argentina international and were told they would have to trigger the €111m release clause in his contract for such a move to happen.
Martinez is contracted to the San Siro side until 2023 and Inter have told all other suitors it will take the aforementioned sum to lure him away from Milan.
The report adds that while Manchester City and Real Madrid have scouted the former Racing Club star, Barcelona remains his most likely destination - a claim backed up by ESPN.
Their story reveals Martinez favours a move to the current La Liga champions, who have been in the market recently looking for a striker to cover for and eventually replace Luis Suarez, who is currently recovering from a knee injury.
United, who missed out on Erling Haaland as the Norwegian joined Borussia Dortmund in January, are thought to believe Martinez could realise his potential at Old Trafford, but his preference of playing alongside compatriot Lionel Messi has tipped the scale in Barça's favour.
Solskjaer's side were linked with plenty of strikers during the winter window but will have Alexis Sanchez back at the club at the conclusion of his loan spell with Inter, while they could opt to pursue a permanent deal for Ighalo. However, the Nigerian would likely have to perform incredibly well for that to become an option for the Premier League giants.
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Source : 90min