Lautaro Martínez has confirmed that Barcelona expressed interest in signing him during the summer transfer window, but he has suggested that he may spend the remainder of his career at Inter Milan.
After failing to secure Julián Álvarez, Barcelona began looking at other options, with Martínez becoming a key target for the club.
“The rumors about Barcelona’s interest were true,” Martínez told Sky Italia regarding the speculation. “Ultimately, I preferred to stay with my teammates and these wonderful fans.”
A member of the 2022 World Cup-winning Argentina squad and a runner-up in 2026, Martínez expressed pride in being sought after by the Spanish champions.
“Being in demand from such prestigious clubs is a great honor and a tremendous source of satisfaction, as it reflects my efforts to improve and advance in my career,” the 29-year-old shared.
“When big clubs reach out, it’s always gratifying and meaningful, as it highlights your significance in the sport.”
Martínez’s main focus remains on Inter, the club he joined from Racing in Argentina during the summer of 2018. The Inter Milan captain is under contract until June 2029. “I’ve made up my mind,” Martínez stated.
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“I would always choose to stay here because I’m happy and feeling great. However, in football, circumstances can change. As long as Inter values me and needs me, I will remain. I’ve opted to stay again because I’m feeling good and am eager to achieve great success with Inter.”
Last season, Martínez played a crucial role in Inter’s Scudetto victory, scoring 17 goals and contributing six assists over 30 league matches.