Barcelona signing target Lautaro Martinez is not moving away from San Siro this summer and not even if an offer will come from Camp Nou. The Catalans have been monitoring the Argentine striker for months but the likelihood of Martinez switching sides next season appeared slim, and there are many reasons.
One is the recent confirmation from Inter Milan that Antonio Conte will remain as club manager, which is a development that should prod the 23-year-old to keep wearing the Inter shirt. It is believed that Martinez is more inclined to renew with the Italians with Conte leading the way.
And in such a case, the goalscorer will likely reject a bid originating from Camp Nou, according to Marca. Martinez is well aware of the current situation with Barcelona and Messi and reports from Italy indicated that the Argentine does not approve of the treatment that his compatriot has been getting from the La Liga giants.
So moving to Spain is no longer an option for the rising star, who has been on the hiring list since the start of 2020. The Catalans are hoping that by bringing in Martinez to Camp Nou, he would be the eventual replacement to Luis Suarez.
Per the same report, the Inter star is no longer available for transfer this summer, at least on a price that Barcelona would be willing to pay. Martinez was open for bidding in July but the clause that places a more affordable fee on the young striker has already expired.
The Spaniards can still make an approach but since the target is tied with Inter until 2023, the cost is expected to be quite high. That could be the reason for Barcelona's lack of concrete intention to sign the striker, which was confirmed by Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio.
The executive said Camp Nou merely made inquiries but formal talks on the purchase of Martinez did not materialize.
"There was an approach for the player from Barcelona, but we never started a negotiation ... There was a clause that was never triggered and from the day it expired, we considered Lautaro out of the market," Goal reported Ausilio as saying.
Why the follow through on the Martinez signing did not come from Barcelona has yet to be answered but it can be assumed that the Catalans are currently overwhelmed by the Messi affair - the demand by the Barca captain to be released from the club.
On that subject, Ausilio said Inter will not join the race to sign the Barcelona superstar but the club official clarified that his side will welcome Messi if given the chance. But the current market reality dictates that Inter "must be careful and smart," in making signing decisions, and that according to Ausilio means shunning expensive players.
