Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has firmly denied any possibility of Lautaro Martínez joining Barcelona as the club seeks a replacement for Lewandowski.
According to La Nacion AR Deportes, the Italian director has made it clear that no financial offer is capable of convincing them to sell their current captain. Marotta's statements come at a time when Inter is looking to consolidate its project after a strong start to the season in Italy.
Why won't Lautaro Martínez leave?
The Argentine striker's value to the Nerazzurri structure goes beyond purely tactical. Marotta did not hesitate to highlight the importance of the figure to the current identity. "Lautaro is our captain, represents the current history of Inter." said Giuseppe Marotta.
The stance of the Milan club is reinforced by their recent high competitive level. This past Saturday, August 22, 2026, Inter defeated Monza 4-1 at the San Siro in the first round of the 2026-27 Serie A. Despite the emphatic victory, Martínez received a yellow card and was substituted in the 54th minute for young Ange-Yoan Bonny.
What is Barcelona looking for in the market?
The Blaugrana team needs an elite center forward to fill the void left by Lewandowski. While Martínez is a name circulating in the offices, the reality of the transfer market seems closed for this particular operation. Barcelona currently sits in 4th place in La Liga with 3 points after their first match (1W-0D-0L) and a winning streak.
The situation for the Catalan squad is further complicated by heavy absences. Currently, the team cannot count on the services of Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Roony Bardghji. On the other hand, responsibility falls on Fermín, who is the team's top scorer with 2 goals in a single appearance.
Barcelona Current Stats
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| League Standing | 4th place |
| Points / Form | 3 pts (1W-0D-0L) W |
| Goals Scored | 5-0 (+5) |
| Gap to Leader | -3 points behind Sevilla |
| Next Match | vs Athletic Club (2026-08-27) |
With the Lautaro market closed, Barcelona must look for other options in the European market before their next local commitment against Athletic Club. Flick's side aims to close the gap with Sevilla, who currently lead the table by three points, while managing injuries in midfield and defense.
