Lionel Messi hails "complete forward" Lautaro Martinez amid Barcelona links

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has launched a charm offensive on the club's primary transfer target Lautaro Martinez, describing his compatriot as a "complete forward".

The Spanish champions are understood to have earmarked Martinez as a long-term successor for Luis Suarez and have heavily been linked with a move for the 22-year-old when the transfer window reopens.

Inter Milan's insistence on holding out for his full €111m (£98.9m) release clause is likely to be a stumbling block in talks, but Messi has now thrown his weight behind the pursuit.

"I think he is a very complete forward. He is strong, he dribbles well, he has an eye for goal, he knows how to protect the ball," Messi told Sport.

"But hey, we'll have to see what finally happens to him and to other names."

Martinez, who has played alongside Messi for Argentina, has scored 16 goals and created four more in 31 appearances across all competitions for Inter this season.