FC Barcelona: it's settled, Inter Milan makes a final call on Lautaro Martinez

Inter slams the door shut on Lautaro Martinez’s departure, firmly viewing him as captain and the central figure of the Nerazzurri project.

On the hunt for a new striker, FC Barcelona has been exploring alternative options after hitting a wall with Atlético de Madrid over Julian Alvarez. Lautaro Martinez was among the names considered. Reports surfaced in the press about an exchange between Deco and Alejandro Camaño, the Argentine’s representative, fueling speculation about Barça’s initial moves. However, this meeting led to neither an official offer nor any negotiations between the clubs.

Beppe Marotta has now closed the door. Speaking to DAZN, the Nerazzurri president stated:

“Lautaro is our captain. There is absolutely no scenario in which he leaves Inter. We have no intention of parting ways: it’s not even up for discussion.”

A consistent stance, given that Inter had already declared their captain non-transferable.

Lautaro Martinez: Inter’s captain and third all-time top scorer

Since arriving in Lombardy from Racing Club in July 2018, the striker has tallied 175 goals in 376 appearances for Inter Milan. He now ranks third on the club’s all-time scoring list, behind Giuseppe Meazza and Alessandro Altobelli. Wearing the captain’s armband since the 2023-2024 season, the Argentine World Cup winner has already lifted four trophies as skipper.

His Milanese trophy cabinet boasts nine titles: three Serie A championships, three Coppa Italia triumphs, and three Supercoppa victories. In 2025-2026, Martinez once again finished as Serie A’s top scorer with 17 goals in 30 matches, playing a pivotal role in securing Inter’s 21st Scudetto.

An almost impossible transfer this summer

Lautaro Martinez’s contract, extended in August 2024, runs until June 30, 2029. No release clause has been made public. At 29, the Argentine remains at the heart of Inter’s sporting and institutional project. Despite contact with his agent, a move to Barça now looks highly improbable.

Read also: Serie A: Hakan Calhanoglu scores the season’s first goal

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

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Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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