Speaking at the Italian soccer awards gala, the Inter Milan captain acknowledged that there were approaches from Barcelona. However, he also made it clear that his priority was always to remain in Milan and continue leading the Nerazzurri project.
Lautaro Martínez Confirms Barcelona Did Approach Him Over a Transfer
Lautaro Martínez’s name was heavily linked with FC Barcelona during the final weeks of the transfer window, and the Argentine striker has now confirmed that the Catalan club’s interest was more than just another rumor.
Lautaro’s comments provide a clearer picture of one of the moves that never quite developed into a full negotiation during the transfer window. Barcelona were looking at alternatives to strengthen their attack, and the Argentine emerged as an option after the difficulties in signing Julián Álvarez.
Ultimately, neither move materialized.
Barcelona Really Did Ask About Lautaro
For much of August, there were two different versions surrounding the Argentine’s future.
Reports from Spain pointed to concrete interest from Barcelona, while the message coming from Italy was much more emphatic: Lautaro was not for sale.
The player himself has now confirmed that something did happen.
“The rumors coming from Barça were true, but in the end I wanted to stay here with my teammates and the fans, who are always incredible,” the striker explained.
That does not necessarily mean there was a formal offer on the table.
Sky Sport Italia reported during the transfer window that Inter had not received an official proposal from Barcelona. Nerazzurri president Giuseppe Marotta was also emphatic in stating that there were no circumstances under which the club would consider allowing its captain to leave.
The distinction is important: Barcelona showed interest and there were approaches surrounding the player, but formal negotiations between the two clubs never took place.
Lautaro Admits Barcelona’s Interest Was Special
For Lautaro, once again attracting the attention of one of Europe’s biggest clubs was also recognition of everything he has accomplished over the past several years.
The Argentine admitted that receiving calls or offers from major clubs is always satisfying because it shows that his performances continue to attract attention outside Italy.
And this is not the first time Barcelona have appeared in his career.
The Catalan club’s interest in Lautaro goes back much further. In 2020, then-Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio publicly confirmed that Barcelona had made an approach for the striker, although that situation also failed to develop into a definitive negotiation.
Six years later, the Argentine’s name resurfaced in Barcelona.
The difference is that Lautaro is no longer simply one of Inter’s most important strikers. He is their captain and one of the biggest symbols of the club’s recent era.
Inter Never Considered Losing Their Captain
Inter’s position throughout the transfer window hardly changed.
Lautaro was not for sale.
The Argentine renewed his contract in August 2024, committing his future to the club until June 30, 2029. By that point, he had already made 282 appearances and scored 129 goals for the Nerazzurri, while also becoming captain and one of the leading figures in the dressing room.
His numbers have continued to grow since then.
Before the start of this season, Lautaro had already scored 175 goals in 376 appearances for Inter since arriving from Racing Club in 2018.
That is why a potential departure during the final days of the transfer window would have represented much more than simply losing a striker.
Inter would have needed to replace their captain, leading goalscorer and main attacking reference with virtually no time to find an alternative.
Lautaro Chooses to Continue His Story in Milan
The Argentine also left little doubt about where he wants to be.
Lautaro explained that he feels comfortable in Milan, where he lives with his family, and reiterated his intention to continue representing Inter for as long as the club wants him.
His message was not an eternal promise. The striker himself acknowledged that in soccer, nobody can ever know exactly what the future holds.
But his current position is clear.
Barcelona asked. The interest was real. Lautaro confirmed it.
However, when the time came to make a decision, the Argentine once again chose Inter Milan.
And after eight years, trophies, goals and the captain’s armband, his story with the Nerazzurri still has more chapters to be written.
