Lionel Messi has called Lautaro Martinez a "complete" striker as the Inter Milan star is linked with a move to Arsenal.
The Argentinian forward has been tipped to exit the San Siro club this summer as the Italians could be forced to sell their prized assets due to their significant levels of debt.
The Gunners are one team tracking the 23-year-old with the North London club making an enquiry to Inter about his availability, according to The Telegraph.
The Serie A outfit has signalled that Martinez, who scored 19 goals and registered 11 assists last term, could be available if their £77m asking price is met.
Could Arsenal pull off a stunning move for Lautaro Martinez? Comment below
Mikel Arteta is looking for a striker this summer with Tammy Abraham also on the club's radar as he looks set to leave Chelsea.
But a move for either of them is dependant on Arsenal offloading Alexandre Lacazette who is available for £15m.
And Messi, who starred alongside Martinez for Argentina in their Copa America victory this summer, has been full of praise for his compatriot and reckons he is the full package.
The Barcelona legend said previously: “He’s spectacular.
“He has impressive qualities. You could tell he was going to be a great player and he is showing that.
“He’s very strong, really good one on one, scores a lot of goals and in the area he fights with anyone, holds it up, he can turn, scrap to win it all on his own. He has a lot of quality. He’s very complete.”
Martinez's agent Beto Yaque responded to the comments and revealed he was flattered to receive that level of praise from 'best in the world' Messi, but that he is fully focused on Inter with two years left on his current deal.
He told Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo: “Surely for Lauty it is a great compliment from the best in the world. I think that is very nice and comforting for him.”
When asked if Martinez has taken notice of the speculation surrounding his future, Yaque added: “He wears it as if nothing.
“Because he is only focused on his club but surely with great satisfaction knowing that he is doing things very well for all this.
“Lautaro has a five-year contract with Inter and the news that comes out are exclusively from the press.”
