Lautaro Martinez targeted by Barcelona after Julian Alvarez snub | OneFootball

Outlandish reports from Spain suggest Barcelona could target Inter captain Lautaro Martinez after Atletico Madrid refused to sell Julian Alvarez, but any move seems very unlikely indeed.

This is hardly the first time that the Blaugrana have made an approach for the Argentina international, and it has never really gone beyond initial discussions.

The situation now would appear to be even less likely to proceed, seeing as the Serie A season kicks off this weekend and Inter would need to replace their captain and top player.

Lautaro Martinez wanted by Barcelona again

ROME, ITALY – MAY 13: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after the team’s victory in the Coppa Italia Final match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

Podcaster Gerard Romero claimed on Jijantes that Barcelona were making another attempted swoop for Lautaro Martinez, and suggested that the striker had ‘opened the door’ to a potential move to Camp Nou.

TNT Sports Argentina also suggest Barcelona could offer up to €100m.

His current contract with Inter runs to June 2029 and he is the captain as well as their most valuable player, fresh off winning the domestic Double of Scudetto and Coppa Italia.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Lautaro Martinez’s agent Alejandro Camano had dealt with this question back in May 2026.

“Any call I would receive, from any club in the world, I would listen with respect, but the response would be the same. Lautaro is happy at Inter, he said he doesn’t want to move, so there is nothing more to add.”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale Milano lifts the Coppa Campioni d’Italia trophy following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Coming to Italy in 2018 from Racing at a cost of €25m, Lauti has scored 175 goals in 376 competitive games for the Nerazzurri, providing 56 assists.

He won the Capocannoniere title twice, including last season on 17 goals, won three editions of the Scudetto, three of the Coppa Italia and three Italian Supercups.

The very idea that Lautaro Martinez would leave Inter now for Barcelona, this late into the transfer session and after a strong rapport with coach Cristian Chivu, seems implausible to say the least.

Barcelona made no secret of the fact their first target was his fellow Argentina international Julian Alvarez, but Atletico Madrid refused to even negotiate a potential sale.