Sporting director Piero Ausilio insists Lautaro Martinez is now off the market despite Barcelona approaching Inter for his services.
Lautaro has been on Barcelona’s radar for the past year as the Catalan club search for a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, who turned 33 in January.
New manager Ronald Koeman’s alleged decision to omit the Uruguayan from his plans, however, means Barca’s need for a new forward has grown, as speculation is ripe on Lionel Messi’s future as well.
Amidst the on and off the pitch troubles going on at Camp Nou, however, talk of Lautaro’s arrival has diminished. Especially after his €111m release clause at Inter Milan expired on July 7.
Therefore, Ausilio is certain the Argentine will remain at the San Siro for the foreseeable future.
“There was an approach for the player from Barcelona, but we never started a negotiation,” the Inter sporting director told Sky Sport Italia.
“There was a clause that was never triggered and from the day it expired we considered Lautaro out of the market.”
The Italian also shut down speculation linking Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante to Inter this summer.
“We’ve never started anything to sign Kante from Chelsea,” said Ausilio. “No chance. He’s not a target.”
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