Lautaro Martínez proud of Barcelona interest but vows to stay at Inter forever: ‘Inter means everything to me’”

Lautaro Martinez has said interest from Barcelona made him proud but outlined his commitment to Inter Milan.

Martinez was named as a potential transfer target for Barcelona as the Spanish champions sought to sign a centre-forward in the summer window.

Barcelona are understood to have made an approach for Martinez, who has scored 175 goals in 378 games for the Serie A side. The approach was turned down with Inter president Giuseppe Marotta insisting the two-time Capocannoniere winner was not for sale at any price.

Martinez has now opened up on the rumours, and said he intends to end his career at the San Siro.

“‘I would stay forever’: Lautaro Martinez proud of Barcelona interest but vows loyalty to Inter

"When these offers and calls come in, it is always a pleasure, because you work to stay at the top. The rumours were true, but I am very clear about my ideas: I wanted to stay here with my teammates and with these magnificent fans," Martinez told Sky Italia.

"I would stay forever and, as long as they want me, I will stay here. But in this job we already know how it is: when you are no longer useful, they throw you out.

"Inter means everything to me: pride, happiness, and the desire to keep moving forward. I have chosen to stay here again, I want to do great things at Inter.

"I never imagined reaching this point in my career with Inter, achieving all my goals. This motivates me to keep moving forward; it's my mentality. I try to give my all in every training session.

"In football, you never know what is going to happen, but today I have a contract and I am happy. I decided to stay because I feel good and I want to achieve great things at Inter."