Inter Milan manager breaks silence on Lautaro Martinez-Barcelona links | OneFootball

Over the past few days, reports in Spain have strongly suggested that FC Barcelona have made Lautaro Martinez their new priority target to reinforce the No. 9 position.

The Catalan giants had been pushing hard to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, but a move for the 26-year-old Argentine has become near impossible.

As such, it has been suggested that the La Liga champions have turned their focus towards his compatriot and Inter Milan captain Lautaro.

Cristian Chivu addresses Lautaro future

While speaking to the media earlier today, Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu was asked about the situation of his captain and his future at the club.

The Romanian manager did not want to get drawn into transfer-market discussions, but he made no secret of his desire for Lautaro to stay.

Lautaro is a target for Barcelona. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

“I’m not afraid, I won’t talk about the market. Lautaro is the captain and there will be talk about him. Around great players, things are said that coaches don’t like,” Chivu said, as quoted by SPORT.

Chivu further wanted to emphasise the role the Argentine striker plays in his plans.

“He’s our captain and the player around whom we’re building what we want to be,” he said.

Chivu is nevertheless aware that the transfer market can change any club’s plans right up until the final moment.

“The market is always quite treacherous, but we want him to stay,” he concluded.

Inter do not wish to sell Lautaro. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Deal difficult for Barcelona

In this way, the Inter Milan coach conveyed confidence about Lautaro’s future, while avoiding an absolute statement about a transfer window that remains open.

The Argentine is central to Chivu’s plans and, as well as wearing the captain’s armband, represents one of the pillars on which the coach wants to build his new Inter.

The Nerazzurri, for their part, consider the Argentine international absolutely non-transferable, making a move to Barcelona in the coming days very difficult.

The 28-year-old, though, remains an option for the Blaugrana, along with several other names, such as Luis Suarez of Sporting CP as well as Georgez Mikautadze of Villarreal, while Nicolo Tresoldi of Club Brugge is also admired wihtin the club.