No Talks Followed Inter’s Stance on Lautaro, Laporta Says

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says he wanted Inter captain Lautaro Martínez at any cost, but Giuseppe Marotta shut down the approach before talks could develop.

According to TUTTOmercatoWEB, Laporta made the admission in an interview with Corriere dello Sport around the EFC assembly in Copenhagen. He said he contacted Inter president Marotta directly and was told Lautaro was not available.

The revelation adds detail to Barcelona’s pursuit of the Argentine, which Lautaro Martínez had emerged as a target for during the previous summer. Laporta described the striker as an exceptional player and said Barcelona did not want to let the opportunity pass.

Marotta’s refusal ended Barcelona’s approach

In a separate account to Corriere della Sera, Laporta said the conversation was between the two presidents, without intermediaries. Marotta told him Lautaro was not for sale, while making clear that the player himself would decide whether he wanted to move.

Laporta said he halted further discussion out of respect for Marotta and Inter. That decision kept the exchange from becoming a negotiation, despite Barcelona’s strong interest in the Nerazzurri captain. Marotta’s stance reflects Inter’s determination to retain Lautaro, as Inter’s position on Lautaro’s future has also been covered.

Laporta added that a Champions League meeting between the clubs could be entertaining, but did not connect that possibility to a renewed transfer effort. The source also reports that he is happy with Barcelona coach Hansi Flick; that comment offers no indication of any further move for Lautaro.

Barcelona’s immediate pursuit ended when Marotta rejected the idea of selling. Laporta said there was no path forward after that response, bringing the direct approach to a close.