Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta rules out Lautaro Martínez transfer to Barcelona

Rejection of Barcelona transfer links

Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta ruled out the departure of team captain Lautaro Martínez following reported transfer interest from Barcelona. Speaking to DAZN ahead of the club's Serie A opener on Saturday, 22 August 2026, Marotta stated that there are no conditions under which the Argentine forward would leave the club. Barcelona had reportedly targeted Martínez to secure an established forward in the final phase of the summer transfer window. Marotta addressed the reports directly to reassure Inter supporters that the club is not in negotiations with the Spanish side. The president emphasized that the captain represents the current history of Inter, confirming that Martínez is not for sale and will continue competing for the Italian champions throughout the season.

Lautaro is our captain, he represents the current history of Inter. There are absolutely no conditions for him to leave Inter, we do not want to give him up in any way and for anything, we should not even talk about it.

Pre-match statements from San Siro

The transfer speculation arrived as Inter prepared to open their domestic league schedule at San Siro. Head coach Cristian Chivu first addressed the rumors regarding Martínez during his pre-match press conference, pushing back against suggestions of a late transfer. Marotta reinforced the coach's stance during his pre-match broadcast interview, seeking to put an end to uncertainty surrounding the Argentine striker. The club leadership aimed to maintain total focus on the pitch as the squad prepared to host Monza on Saturday.

Market strategy in the final window phase

Marotta also addressed the possibility of further incoming transfers as the summer market enters its final days. When asked about a potential additional reinforcement for the squad, the president explained that the club remains attentive to late opportunities while coordinating every decision with head coach Chivu. Marotta stressed that the existing roster is already highly competitive as currently constructed, meaning Inter does not feel pressured to make reactionary moves. The club intends to pursue prospective signings only if an advantageous market situation arises that aligns with the coach's technical requirements.

Title defence and season objectives

Inter enters the Serie A season as defending Scudetto champions, facing Monza at San Siro for their opening fixture. Marotta outlined the expectations for the year, noting that defending the league trophy demands higher standards across every match. The president explained that opposing teams will compete with elevated determination against the reigning league champions. Inter aims to meet that challenge by relying on the winning culture, collective motivation, and structural consistency established in recent campaigns.

Certainly we must raise the bar, we are defending champions and opponents will play with greater determination against us. We start with the same motivations and the same goals and with the reinforcement of the culture of winning that has distinguished us in recent years.