After several months of negotiations with Inter, the moment of truth has arrived.

Barcelona themselves have always been clear that new players would not arrive until existing ones had been moved on.

In the last few days, Arturo Vidal, Nelson Semedo and Luis Suarez have all left and this has allowed the club to try and sign Lautaro.

The departure of these three players, plus Arthur Melo and Ivan Rakitic, has altered things money-wise.

Approximately 70 million euros has been saved in terms of salary, while Nelson Semedo's transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers has brought in 30 million euros.

These two aspects mean that Barcelona now have the funds available to make a move for Lautaro.

Inter have been firm that they value the 23-year-old old at 100 million euros, while Barcelona know that if they meet this figure, they will not be able to make any more signings.

This is a problem for the Catalan club, considering the lack of depth at right-back and centre-back.

Barcelona will make one last attempt to sign Lautaro. If they strike an agreement with Inter, they will look to quickly wrap up a deal for the forward; if the answer is negative, however, the Blaugrana will have to seek alternative targets.

Memphis Depay is Ronald Koeman's preferred option, but there are other low-profile forwards being considered by the sporting directorate. 

Once again, Girona striker Cristhian Stuani has emerged as a possible option.

Meanwhile, other deals are progressing in the background, with Ajax right-back Sergino Dest being lined up as Semedo's replacement, while Manchester City's Eric Garcia is viewed as the ideal player to come in at centre-back.

As far as departures are concerned, Barcelona are still looking for a destination for Samuel Umtiti. 

The Red Devils suffered a tough summer transfer window after failing to land top target and Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho.

It saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly turn at one point to Coman, who scored Bayern’s goal to win the Champions League against PSG in August.

But Salihamidzic poured cold water over the speculation and any chances of a move in January.

Speaking to German outlet Bild , the sporting director said: “There was nothing, and we wouldn't have looked into it either.

“His goal in the Champions League final should explain enough why we are relying on him wholeheartedly.” 

Speculation about the Frenchman’s future emerged after his comments on United’s £89m midfielder and international team-mate.

"If I could choose a player, I would like to have [Paul] Pogba for Bayern," Coman told Bild in July.

"This would be fantastic. He has unbelievable abilities and is a fantastic midfielder.

"Apart from this he is not only important on the pitch. He has a huge marketing value. He stays in people's minds. 

United have had struggles with the Frenchman’s future, though, after he expressed a “dream” of playing for Real Madrid.

The management of Pogba and the Sancho situation has left former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger baffled.

He told BBC Radio 4: "What I find at the moment a little bit surprising is that England made a huge effort to educate young players but the system of the Premier League is so tough and the level is so high that you have paradoxical situations. 

I give you two examples: Pogba was partly educated in England, he went for free and England bought him back for £100million [sic].

“Jadon Sancho has been partly educated at Manchester City, if you want him back today you have to pay £100million.

"You buy at a huge price players you have educated yourself. That's something I don't find logical at all.”