Inter Set Clear Stance on Lautaro Martinez Amid Barcelona Interest
Quick summary
Inter Milan have made their position clear on Lautaro Martinez following reports of interest from Barcelona, indicating the striker is not for sale.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceReports in Italy and Spain claim that Barcelona are interested in an audacious move to sign Inter captain Lautaro Martinez after their unsuccessful pursuit of Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but the Nerazzurri are not expected to even entertain the idea of selling their talisman.
Gazzetta: Inter will not sell Lautaro Martinez under any circumstances According to La Gazzetta dello Sport , Tuttosport and various others, Barcelona are interested in signing Inter striker Lautaro Martinez , although there have been conflicting reports over the Argentine’s preferences.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 27: L.Martinez #22 of Argentina celebrates scoring the team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Jordan and Argentina at Dallas Stadium on June 27, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) In Catalonia, there have been suggestions that Lautaro has ‘opened the doors’ to joining Barcelona, even if arranging a deal with Inter is expected to be complicated, whilst La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there is no chance of Lautaro leaving San Siro before the end of this summer transfer window.
There had been genuine interest in Lautaro from Barcelona several years ago, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but given that Barca are still in a complicated financial situation and given that Inter do not want to sell their talisman at any cost, especially with less than a week to go before the start of the Serie A season, the chances of him leaving this month seem slim.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JULY 11: L.Martinez #22 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Lautaro is solely focused on being ready and available to start against Monza for Inter’s Serie A season opener on Saturday evening.
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What happened
Inter Milan have responded firmly to renewed reports linking striker Lautaro Martinez with a move to Barcelona. The Italian club have communicated that the Argentine forward is central to their project and is not available for transfer. Lautaro, who has been a key figure for Inter since joining in 2018, remains under contract and the club see him as untouchable. The reports from Barcelona are seen as an attempt to test Inter's resolve, but the Serie A side have made it clear they will not entertain offers for their captain.
Chance analysis
Lautaro Martinez has long been one of Inter Milan's most influential players, and any signal that the club would entertain a sale would send shockwaves through Serie A. By drawing a firm line, Inter are protecting both their sporting ambitions and the value of a player who remains among the most complete strikers in Europe. For Barcelona, the message is a familiar one: target secured, move on.
Inter retain their captain and talismanic striker, stabilizing their attacking core; Barcelona's search for a long-term striker continues elsewhere.