Martin Montoya
Martin Montoya

Inter Milan have not give up hope of luring Liverpool target Martin Montoya away from the Catalan club, according to Spanish reports.

After making the move from Barcelona's youth academy into the senior side, the 22-year-old right-back has emerged as a transfer target for a number of top European clubs as he has established himself this season as a pivotal player for boss Tata Martino.

According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, Inter's sporting director Piero Ausilio, who has been in Madrid tempting Arsenal target Alvaro Morata, met with Montoya's agent recently and discussed a revised offer for the youngster.

Montoya's contract finishes on 30 June 2014 and Barca are confident he will extend his stay until 2018 – the maximum period allowed by FIFA. However he is yet to sign a new deal, despite reports to the contrary in Spain.

The renewal would mean rejecting offers from Roma, Inter and especially Liverpool, whose boss Brendan Rodgers is a huge fan of the Spanish academy.

Rodgers has been monitoring Montoya in recent months and he was confident of signing him on a free transfer next summer, as his current contract at the Camp Nou is due to expire at the end of the season.

The youngster was earmarked as Liverpool's main target as he also can feature on the left flank, but with his renewal set to be confirmed, it looks that Rodgers and the Nerazzurri will have to look somewhere else to find a defender.

It appears the most opportune moment to sign Martin Montoya would be this summer, as his release clause will rise and will be much higher in the years to come.

Inter are also keen on the Barca midfielder Sergi Roberto, who has been monitored by Manchester United and Spurs.