Lautaro Martinez's Agent Talks Up Barcelona, Lionel Messi Link

Lautaro Martinez's agent, Alberto Yaque, has fuelled and then walked back Barcelona transfer rumours by stating his client would look great playing alongside Lionel Messi.

The Inter Milan striker starred for Argentina during the recent international break, netting a hat-trick in their 4-0 friendly win over Mexico in Texas.

The Albiceleste were missing the likes of Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria, while Paulo Dybala started on the bench, but Martinez had his treble inside 40 minutes against El Tri:

The 22-year-old has also started the season well with his club side, netting Inter's opener in their 2-1 win over Cagliari earlier in September.

And speaking to TyC Sports, his representative talked up the possibility of him joining up with Messi at the Camp Nou (h/t Goal):

"It would be great to see [Lautaro] alongside Leo at Barcelona. It was great to see him play that way [against Mexico], so loose and happy. He has looked happy in the national team since he played for the youth divisions. He has brilliant control and timing, he shows it all the time. It is very hard for a defender to mark him."

He later told FCInterNews (h/t Football Italia) he was misinterpreted, however:

"I was asked if I'd like to see Lautaro play with Lionel Messi. Obviously I answered 'yes'. Now, tell me: is there anyone in the world who wouldn't want to see 'El Pulga' [Messi] in their team?

"I don't think so. I'm glad the two are playing together in Argentina, but I absolutely don't want Lautaro to join Barcelona. I was just misinterpreted."

Martinez joined Inter in July 2018 from Racing Club and finished his debut Serie A season with six goals in 27 appearances.

More than half his league outings last term came from the bench, as Mauro Icardi was the main striker until his contract dispute with the club saw him omitted from the squad.

Icardi left the San Siro to join Paris Saint-Germain on loan on transfer deadline day:

Romelu Lukaku arrived from Manchester United as his replacement, but Martinez still looks set to get much more game time this season.

That is because new Inter manager Antonio Conte is happy to play two up front, and he has started Martinez alongside Lukaku in both their Serie A matches this season.

Inter are unlikely to be happy with Yaque talking up a potential move to Barca for one of their star men, even if he walked back his comments shortly after.