The Argentina striker chose the red carpet of the Gran Galà del Calcio in Milan to address the summer’s most persistent transfer story. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia on 2 September, Lautaro Martinez confirmed for the first time that Barcelona’s interest was real and explained why he had chosen to stay at Inter Milan.
“When offers like this and these calls arrive, it’s always nice: you work to stay at the top,” he said.
“The rumours were true, but I have very clear ideas. I wanted to stay here with my teammates and these magnificent fans.”
He followed it with a long-term pledge to the Serie A club.
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“I would stay forever, and as long as they want me, I’ll stay here.”
“For me, Inter is all pride, happiness, and the desire to continue. I’ve chosen to stay here once again; I want to do great things at Inter.”
Contract to 2029, no formal Barcelona offer
Martinez signed a renewal in August 2024 that ties him to Inter until 30 June 2029. He has scored 175 goals in 376 appearances since arriving from Racing Club in 2018, and wears the captain’s armband under head coach Cristian Chivu.
The Catalan approach, according to reporting picked up in Italy, came only after Barcelona failed to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, with Martinez identified as a fall-back. Sky Sport Italia reported that Inter never received a formal proposal from the Spanish champions.
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Marotta held the line publicly
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta had spent the window shutting the story down in advance of any bid. In August he told reporters that his captain was untouchable, insisting there was no scenario in which the club would negotiate.
“There are no conditions for him to leave Inter, we don’t want to give him up under any circumstances or for any reason. It shouldn’t even be considered,” Marotta said.
According to reporting in Italy, Inter’s stance was that no offer would be entertained even in the €90m to €100m range, a valuation that reflects both the length of Martinez’s contract and his standing as Argentina’s first-choice number nine.
Inter have opened Chivu’s first Serie A season with two wins from two, beating Monza 4-1 at home and Cagliari 1-0 away, though Martinez has yet to score. He next reports for duty at the San Siro on Saturday, 5 September, when Inter host Napoli in a title-race opener.
