Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has been linked with a move to Barcelona for several months now, but it looks like La Liga giants could face a tough job luring Argentinian away from Giuseppe Meazza. According to Inter CEO Beppe Marotta, Martinez has shown no desire to leave the club so far.
After impressing with Inter this season, and scoring 17 goals in all competition, Martinez emerged as Barca’s main transfer target this summer. The Catalan club sees the 22-year-old as an ideal replacement for aging Luis Suarez, while fellow Argentina international Lionel Messi seems to be his big fan.
However, Barcelona hasn’t been willing to convince Inter to accept their offers, with the Italian club unwilling to part ways with Martinez unless the player makes a push for a deal.
“Lautaro has not shown the slightest desire to leave,” Marrota told DAZN. “Aside from dates and deadlines, the clearest situation is that Inter do not want to sell their champions or interesting young talents. If the player were to ask to leave, we would evaluate that together, but so far, that request has not arrived.”
Lautaro Martinez has a $121 million release clause in his contract, but cash-strapped Barcelona hasn’t been willing to activate it just yet. The club previously tried to convince Inter to lower the asking price or at least accept a player-exchange deal. Italian powerhouse rejected all these advancements, and if we are to trust Marrota, it will continue to do so in the future.
