Same way you guys think Mbappe is practically yours ;D Our "board" papers have been all over him. Quite arrogant though.
And I dont think Messi is an argument against a striker - just look at Suarez. He benefits a lot. I would kill to start next season with 2 strikers. So hopefully Suarez accepts a smaller role.
It's difficult to say for definite he's bound our way in 1-2 years. He's recently been vocal about liking Liverpool so who knows, maybe that's the super-team. He might actually get somewhat annoyed at everyone saying he's practically RM so Zidane and Perez will just plonk a platitude in their interview every 4-6 months to stay on his good side until he's keen to move.
Suarez benefits a lot because he knows where to be and he played with him for 5 years. A new striker won't immediately be able to and Leo's old so not much time to grow the partnership. It's like most other strikers in Argentina NT who didn't really work with Messi and didn't quite click, bar Kun who is somewhat alright.
Lautaro has a 110m release clause. Why wouldn't he want to join us and play with Messi? I'm just a bit sceptycal because he's another forward who is better playing alongside a stronger #9 (like Lukaku), the same as Griezmann. If we wouldn't have the Frenchman I would be all for signing Lautaro but now I'm not so sure. Suarez will stay for sure next season and still start a lot of games so maybe would be better to bring someone cheaper to give him more rest and then go for Haaland in 2021 (Sport Bild has reported this week that he has a 75m release contract after 2021) while spending most of our remaining money this summer on a CB and a creative midfielder. But Bartomeu will surely go for a big name forward in a year before elections with Neymar and Lautaro the most likely choices. And if I have to choose between them it's an easy decision for me.
Many reasons. Icardi didn't really want to leave to any big team when they were qualifying for CL. I don't know how likely it is that Lautaro will now that they are in the middle of Conte project, clear improvement and big chase to take Juventus down. Given he could have many options given time he doesn't need to rush a move, it's not like Barcelona won't come for him again in 1, 2 or 3 years. No matter who is president. Messi factor is the only reason, but honestly it's obvious he will see he has Griezmann and Suarez to compete with and won't get much game time.
