Overview
- Giuseppe Marotta disclosed Saturday that Barcelona made a summer enquiry about Lautaro Martinez and that both Inter and the player chose to stay together.
- Marotta described Martinez as the club captain who 'represents the present and the future,' signaling Inter sees him as central to its sporting plans.
- The confirmation closes weeks of public speculation and makes clear Barcelona did not progress the approach into a transfer.
- Inter is managing internal changes at the same time, with long-serving sporting director Piero Ausilio leaving suddenly this summer and youth striker Francesco Pio Esposito signing a new deal.
- The club says it will prioritise contract discussions with key players as it defends the title in a crowded Serie A race that also includes Napoli, Roma, Juventus and surprise challengers like Como.