Inter president Steven Zhang has insisted that the club do not want to be in a position where they sell off their key players.

A number of Inter players have drawn links with moves to other clubs ahead of the Summer transfer window, none more so than Lautaro Martinez.

The 22-year-old Argentine national team forward has drawn strong links to reigning Spanish champions Barcelona who are reportedly willing to make Inter an offer worth more than the €111 million release clause in his current contract.

“For Inter, as one of the most important clubs in the world, you have to try your best to win. We don’t want to sell our best players and we want attract the best talents from around the world,” he remarked during an interview with the Financial Times.

Zhang, who is the youngest president in Inter history, then went on to discuss how the Nerazzurri club has grown since his father’s company, Chinese e-commerce giants Suning, purchased a controlling stake in the club from Erick Thohir back in 2016.

“Since Inter was bought by Suning, the club has gone through a huge transformation. Firstly, our performance on the pitch. Secondly, our commercial and marketing value.

“You can see from our digital platforms, the numbers are double or triple what they were a couple of years ago so it is logical that our value to sponsors as a club is going up too.”

In conclusion, Zhang shared his belief that he was perhaps not harsh enough in his recent criticism of Lega Serie A president Paolo Dal Pino for his handling of the current situation Italian football is facing.

“A lot of people think my words have been strong. I think my words have been light and not strong enough.”