Barcelona step up £100m transfer hunt for Inter’s Lautaro Martinez after Dembele ruled out for six months after surgery
BARCELONA are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez following the severity of Ousmane Dembele's injury.
The 22-year-old winger has been ruled out for six months after the French forward was forced to undergo surgery on a serious hamstring tear.
Dembele - who hasn't featured for the Blaugrana since November 27 due to injury - will play no part in Euro 2020.
Barca said in a statement: "Dembele has successfully undergone surgery in Turku, Finland, where he was operated on by Dr Lasse Lempainen for a ruptured tendon in his proximal hamstring in his right thigh.
"The Frenchman will be out for around six months.
"The striker was continuing his recovery from the hamstring injury when he was forced to retire from a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva last week.
They state their need to sign a forward has been accelerated due to Dembele's spell on the sidelines, while they also want a successor to the ageing Luis Suarez.
Barca are believed to be battling Manchester United and Chelsea for the signature of Martinez, with both clubs desperate to sign a striker in the summer.
The LaLiga side are still in the hunt to sign a front man this term, with the Spanish outfit hoping to get special permission from the league due to Dembele's injury.
Quique Setien must unregister Dembele from his squad to make room for a new player, with Real Sociedad's Willian Jose, Getafe's Angel Rodriguez and Arsenal flop Lucas Perez all options.