Marotta says Lautaro refused talks with Barcelona

Giuseppe Marotta moved to shut down the speculation over Lautaro Martínez and the Barcelona link. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia ahead of Inter’s Champions League match at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid, the club president insisted the Argentine never wanted to leave the Italian side, even though Barça showed interest as an alternative to Julián Álvarez.

Lautaro, ‘strong sense of belonging’

Marotta said Lautaro’s attitude was “exemplary” and that there was a meeting, but it didn’t go anywhere because “the conditions weren’t right to continue.” In his words: “We had a meeting, but the conditions weren’t suitable to keep going.”

He also stressed that Lautaro is central to Inter’s ambitions this season. Marotta added that, from a club-to-club standpoint, it was “impossible to reach an agreement” because Lautaro is a top-tier player and Inter “needs him if we want to win titles.”

Contract secured until 2029

The Inter chief underlined the point legally as well: the 29-year-old has a contract in force until 2029, reinforcing the message that, for now, there’s no exit.

On the sporting front, Marotta kept the tone ambitious, saying: “We have the obligation to give everything. We have the right to dream.” He added that “from time to time, dreams come true,” signaling Inter’s intent to fight at the highest level again.

Source: Mundo Deportivo (Giuseppe Marotta’s comments on Sky Sport Italia).