Barcelona have turned their attention to Lautaro Martínez after failing to make progress for Julián Álvarez. The Inter captain is reportedly now the club’s top striker target, but the Italian giants have immediately closed the door on a summer exit.
Barcelona have identified Lautaro Martínez as their new priority for the No.9 position, but Inter have already delivered a major warning to the Catalan giants.
After spending much of the summer pursuing Julián Álvarez, Barça are now looking elsewhere following Atlético Madrid’s refusal to negotiate for the Argentina forward.
The new name at the top of their list is another Argentine superstar.
Lautaro Martínez.
Cadena SER reports that the Inter captain has become Barcelona’s number one target to strengthen the attack during the final stage of the transfer window.
But the response from Italy could hardly be stronger.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Inter have no intention of selling their captain this summer, while no official Barcelona offer has arrived in Milan.
Barcelona may have found their new dream striker.
Convincing Inter to let him leave could be an entirely different challenge.
Barcelona turn to Lautaro after Julián Álvarez setback
Barcelona’s original priority had been Julián Álvarez.
The Atlético Madrid striker was heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou throughout the summer as Barça searched for a new centre-forward.
However, Atlético repeatedly refused to open serious negotiations over the Argentina international.
Cadena SER now reports that Barcelona have effectively moved on from that pursuit.
The sporting department led by Deco has therefore established a new priority.
Lautaro Martínez is now reportedly the main target.
The 28-year-old possesses many of the qualities Barcelona are searching for in their next striker.
He is experienced at the highest level, technically strong, aggressive without the ball and capable of combining with creative players around him.
He is also one of Argentina’s most decorated forwards and has spent years performing at the highest level with Inter.
Barça urgently need a new No.9
Barcelona’s search for a striker has become increasingly important following major changes to their attacking options.
Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have both left the club this summer, leaving Hansi Flick without the centre-forward options he had last season.
Cadena SER reports that reinforcing the No.9 position has therefore become one of Barcelona’s main priorities before the transfer window closes.
The club initially hoped Álvarez could become the centrepiece of the new attack.
With Atlético refusing to negotiate, Barcelona have been forced to change direction.
Lautaro is now at the centre of that plan.
Lautaro reportedly becomes Barcelona’s top priority
Cadena SER reports that Lautaro is now the absolute priority of Barcelona’s sporting department.
The information was initially reported by Gerard Romero before being confirmed by Cadena SER journalist Nil Solà.
That represents a significant development.
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Lautaro has been linked with Barcelona several times during his career, but the current situation comes at a moment when Barça have an immediate need for an elite striker.
Barcelona have already made major moves elsewhere in the squad this summer and Deco is now attempting to complete the attacking rebuild.
However, identifying Lautaro as the preferred target is only the beginning.
The next obstacle is Inter.
Inter immediately shut the door
Inter’s position is clear.
They do not want to sell Lautaro Martínez.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Nerazzurri consider their captain effectively untouchable and are unwilling to change their transfer strategy even if Barcelona make an approach.
The Italian club are preparing to begin the new Serie A season with Lautaro as one of the central figures of Cristian Chivu’s team.
With the league campaign about to start, losing the captain and leading striker would create an enormous problem.
Inter would also have very little time to identify and sign an adequate replacement.
For those reasons, the club are reportedly unwilling to entertain the possibility of a summer sale.
Gazzetta’s position is particularly strong: Inter do not intend to sell Lautaro at any price.
No Barcelona bid has reached Inter
This is the most important detail to separate from the growing transfer speculation.
Barcelona have not submitted an official offer for Lautaro Martínez.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that despite considerable discussion surrounding Barcelona’s interest, nothing concrete has yet arrived in Milan.
There have been rumours of enormous potential offers circulating around social media and the Spanish press.
But those rumours should not currently be confused with an official proposal.
As things stand, Inter have received no formal Barcelona bid.
There is also no agreement between the clubs.
And Inter are not actively negotiating the sale of their captain.
Reports claim Barcelona have contacted Lautaro’s camp
There are indications that Barcelona have explored the player’s side of the potential deal.
Jijantes reports that Barça have met with Lautaro’s representatives and that there is interest surrounding the possibility of a move.
The same reporting suggests Lautaro has opened the door to Barcelona.
However, that should not be interpreted as a transfer agreement.
There is currently no reliable confirmation that Lautaro has agreed personal terms with Barcelona or formally asked Inter to let him leave.
Football Italia also notes that reports surrounding the player’s preference have been conflicting.
The strongest confirmed development remains Barcelona’s interest rather than an agreement with the player.
Lautaro remains deeply connected to Inter
Barcelona are targeting much more than just another striker.
Lautaro is the captain and one of the defining players of the current Inter era.
He joined the Italian giants in 2018 and has since developed into one of Serie A’s most important forwards.
He has won major domestic trophies, competed deep into the Champions League and become the attacking reference point of the team.
His position within the club makes this transfer considerably more difficult than simply negotiating a fee.
Lautaro also signed a contract extension in 2024 that ties him to Inter until 2029.
Inter therefore have no contractual pressure to sell.
They can reject Barcelona’s interest and continue building around their captain.
Lautaro has previously spoken about staying at Inter
The player’s history also makes the story more complicated.
Lautaro has previously expressed his desire to remain at Inter for the long term and has even discussed the possibility of finishing his career with the Nerazzurri.
That does not make a Barcelona move impossible.
Players and clubs can change plans when major opportunities emerge.
But it does mean claims that Lautaro is actively forcing his way to Camp Nou should currently be treated with caution.
There is no strong evidence that he has taken that step.
Barcelona have wanted Lautaro before
This is also not the first time Lautaro and Barcelona have appeared together in a major transfer story.
The Catalan club seriously explored signing the Argentina international several years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the financial landscape of European football.
At the time, Lautaro was considered one of Barcelona’s preferred long-term attacking targets.
The transfer never happened.
He remained at Inter, became captain and established himself as a club legend.
Years later, Barcelona have returned to the same name.
But completing the operation may now be even more difficult.
Inter have almost no reason to negotiate
Barcelona face several major obstacles.
Lautaro is under contract until 2029.
He is Inter’s captain.
He remains central to Chivu’s plans.
The Serie A season is about to begin.
And Inter would have very little time to replace him.
That leaves the Italian club in an extremely powerful negotiating position.
Unlike Atlético’s situation with Julián Álvarez, Barcelona may not even reach the stage of discussing a realistic asking price.
Inter’s message at the moment is simpler.
The player is not for sale.
Barcelona’s finances add another complication
Even if Inter unexpectedly changed their position, completing the transfer would still be extremely demanding financially.
La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Barcelona continue to operate within a complicated financial environment despite their ambitious summer business.
Signing an established striker with Lautaro’s status would almost certainly require another enormous investment.
Barcelona would therefore need to convince Inter to negotiate before even attempting to solve the financial structure of a deal.
At the moment, they have not reached that stage.
Could Lautaro force the situation?
One potential factor could be the player himself.
If Lautaro were to clearly communicate that he wanted to join Barcelona, Inter could face a more complicated decision.
That has not happened publicly.
Reports from Catalonia suggesting that the striker is open to the move are interesting, but there is a major difference between being willing to consider Barcelona and formally requesting a transfer.
Until Lautaro takes a stronger position, Inter retain almost complete control over the situation.
Barcelona may need another alternative
The situation leaves Deco with a difficult decision.
Barcelona need another centre-forward.
Julián Álvarez appears increasingly inaccessible.
Lautaro has now become the preferred alternative.
But Inter are refusing to sell.
If that position does not change quickly, Barça may have to move to another target before the transfer window closes.
The final weeks of the market leave little room for prolonged negotiations that produce no result.
Barcelona therefore need to establish quickly whether Lautaro is realistically obtainable.
What happens next?
The next major development would be an official approach from Barcelona to Inter.
So far, no bid has arrived.
If Barcelona submit one, Inter’s response will provide the clearest indication of whether there is any possibility of negotiations beginning.
Based on the current reporting from Italy, a rejection would be the expected outcome.
Another development to watch is Lautaro’s position.
If the Argentina international publicly or privately pushes to join Barcelona, the dynamics could change.
Without that pressure, Inter have little incentive to reconsider.
