Semedo, Cancelo and the keys behind Lautaro's Barcelona transfer
A complicated deal is taking place but there is hope that it can happen
The key to Barcelona's hopes of signing Lautaro Martinez from Inter Milan is Nelson Semedo, who could be involved ina three-part deal to leave the club this summer.
What's been negotiated right now is Semedo going to Manchester City, which would facilitate Joao Cancelo returning to Inter and serve to bring down the price of Lautaro.
It's a complicated operation but one which would bring down the cost of the Argentine striker and help facilitate a move to Camp Nou at the end of the season.
As SPORT revealed this week, talks are advanced for Lautaro. Inter wanted a right-back and Barça offered Semedo and Emerson, on loan at Real Betis, but neither worked for Inter.
One option Barça considered was to sell Semedo and use that money to sign Lautaro, but the deal would still have been too high for the Blaugrana. The key, then, is Cancelo.
City were ready to offer Cancelo to Barça to reduce the Semedo price and Barça thought about offering him to Inter. Cancelo spent six months there on loan in the past and then did well at Juventus in Serie A. Antonio Conte likes him and the club are keen. It's complicated as it involved three clubs, but the chances are good.
Jorge Mendes, the agent of Semedo and Cancelo, has a big role to play. Both players are happy with the deal that has been talked about.
If the Semedo-Cancelo deal can be done, Lautaro will be closer to Barça, who are looking to include a second player in the deal. All eyes are on Arturo Vidal, although Inter are looking at all options and nothing is ruled out. If it's Vidal in the end, at a value of 20 million euros, barça would then have to pay 60 million for Lautaro in addition to Cancelo and Vidal.
