Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio reacted strongly when asked about how the negotiations between Inter and Barcelona over Argentinian international striker Lautaro Martinez were going.
The Nerazzurri Sporting Director told Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia that the former Racing Avellanada player isn’t leaving Inter unless a club pays the buy-out clause, which is widely reported as being set at €111 million.
“Lautaro Martinez is not going anywhere, whoever wants him will have to pay his buy-out clause. There is only way that he can taken away from Inter and that is to pay the buy-out clause.
“It is a binding clause because it has its deadlines and limitations and it is a binding clause from a financial standpoint as well. It is the only way that exists to not see Lautaro leave Inter.
“We are not currently discussing or raising the issue of Lautaro Martinez with anyone, simply because we believe in him, he is an important asset for the club and then let’s not forget that he still has 3 years left on his contract.
“Inter has no intention of letting important players leave but has every intention to hang on to them and reinforce the team on the transfer market.
“Many clubs have contacted us to discuss the issue of Lautaro, Barcelona has been the most decisive. I know what we have told Barcelona and they know perfectly well what our intentions are. Inter has no intention of selling Lautaro.”
Lautaro Martinez joined Inter in the summer of 2018 for a transfer fee reported to be in the region of €22 million and has since then featured 66 times across all competitions scoring 25 goals in the process.
The former Racing man scored 16 of those this season before the COVID-19 crisis caused all of football to come to a grinding halt, but before then his impressive performances prompted Barcelona to become very interested in him.
In recent months it has been widely reported that Barcelona are trying to sign the player but keep falling shy of the demands Inter have set.
