Lautaro Martinez to Barcelona: Inter Milan chief reveals why blockbuster transfer did not happen

Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta has publically addressed the aggravated summertime speculation surrounding Lautaro Martinez and a imaginable determination to Barcelona.

The Catalan heavyweights reportedly identified the prolific Argentine planetary arsenic a superior attacking target to reenforce their guardant enactment aft Robert Lewandowski's exit.

Although Barca yet made Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez their No. 1 target, a woody for Martinez's countryman ne'er happened arsenic some La Liga clubs publically fell out. 

While archetypal interaction is believed to person taken spot betwixt the respective boardrooms, discussions ne'er progressed into precocious negotiations.

Marotta praises Martinez's exemplary behaviour

Marotta has present stated that the decisive origin was the striker himself, arsenic helium adamantly chose to stay astatine San Siro and proceed starring the Italian giants. 

“His behaviour was exemplary. He has shown an immense consciousness of loyalty successful avoiding immoderate benignant of negotiations with Barcelona,” explained the Inter president to Sky Sport Italia via Barca Universal.

“His behaviour was exemplary. He has shown an immense consciousness of loyalty successful avoiding immoderate benignant of negotiations with Barcelona.

“Lautaro represents the contiguous and aboriginal of our club. To basal a accidental of winning, you besides request players similar him."

Martinez was successful enactment for Inter arsenic the Nerazzurri's 20-match unbeaten streak was halted by Real Madrid successful Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League defeat. 

The Argentina planetary acceptable up Carlos Augusto's onslaught to halve the shortage successful the 77th minute, but Cristian Chivu's men could not equalise, arsenic Thibaut Courtois was successful inspired form.

Martinez's assistance came hours aft helium was included successful the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. 

2026 Ballon d'Or: Does Martinez person a shot?

Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are admittedly frontrunners, leaving Martinez connected the extracurricular looking successful for the award.

The Argentina international, though, is arguably 1 of the contenders to decorativeness successful the apical 10 aft a 2025-26 play successful which the Inter skipper won the league and cupful treble successful Italy and notched a fewer important goals for the Albiceleste en way to the 2026 World Cup final.

Martinez whitethorn not assertion the award, but the 25-26 Capocannoniere should beryllium pleased to beryllium the Serie A's lone typical connected the 30-player nominees list.