Giuseppe Marotta sends clear message to Barcelona over Lautaro Martinez | OneFootball

With only a few days left in the summer transfer window, FC Barcelona are yet to sign a new center-forward to replace Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres in their squad. The Blaugranes have spent the whole summer trying to land Julian Alvarez for this role, but Atletico Madrid have remained set in their stance of not letting their star player leave for a direct rival.

Now, with very limited time on their side, the Catalans are also working on bringing in some alternatives so Hansi Flick would not have to go into the next season without a center-forward at his disposal. One of the most notable names linked with Barcelona in this regard has been one of Alvarez’s international teammates, Lautaro Martinez.

However, getting him from Inter Milan is not going to be easy either. The Nerazzurri head coach, Cristian Chivu, recently made it clear that he expects the forward to stay with his team going into the next season, but still kept some door open for doubt about his future.

But this door is fully closed now. As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the president of the Italian club, Giuseppe Marotta, categorically ruled out a departure of the Argentine star this summer, as he commented:

“Lautaro is our captain and represents Inter’s present history. There are no circumstances under which he will leave Inter. We do not want to part ways with him in any way or for any reason. It shouldn’t even be considered.”

With Inter Milan not interested in a transfer, it might simply be impossible for Barcelona to get Lautaro Martinez this summer. Unlike the case with Julian Alvarez, who has himself been pushing for a move to the Blaugrana club, the Nerazzurri star is not expected to take any such steps, even though there have been reports that he would be happy to play for the Catalan club.