Barcelona will have to turn to alternatives for Lautaro Martinez, who does not want to leave Inter Milan anytime soon.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Lautaro Martinez is happy at Inter Milan and wants to become an all-time legend for the Nerazzurri. The 25-year-old Argentine international has thus handed Barcelona and his other suitors a setback in his pursuit.
Lautaro Martinez joined Inter Milan from Racing Club in July 2018. And he has gone from strength to strength since then, establishing himself as a pivotal figure for the Serie A giants. At the same time, the player has also become one of the best strikers in Europe.
The 25-year-old has made a decent start to the 2022/23 season, amassing seven goals and three assists in 15 appearances. And the Argentine international’s performances have captured the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Barcelona.
Barcelona signed a world-class striker this past summer. And Robert Lewandowski has made a brilliant start to life at Spotify Camp Nou. But while the Polish international continues to display his credentials as one of the best strikers in the game, he is well into his thirties.
Barcelona will thus know that Lewandowski is only a short-term solution in the final third for them. So the Catalan giants need to lay down a succession plan for the 34-year-old. So several strikers, including Youssoufa Moukoko, have emerged on Barcelona’s radar. And Martinez is also a viable target for the Blaugrana.
In addition to Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain also showed interest in the 25-year-old Argentine international. But Martinez has handed a blow to his suitors, insisting he wants to remain at Inter Milan for the foreseeable future.
The Argentine striker said in a recent interview, “I’ve been here for five years, I’m happy here at Inter, I really hope to become a club legend. I signed a new contract a year ago and I’m only focused on Inter.”
So Barcelona, Bayern, and PSG will have to set their sights on alternatives, with Martinez unlikely to leave Inter Milan. But it will be interesting to see if the three heavyweight outfits test Inter’s resolve for the 25-year-old Argentine international.
