Lautaro Martínez Barcelona talks failed after Inter rejected a summer approach, with Joan Laporta revealing his direct call to Giuseppe Marotta

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that Barcelona made a direct attempt to sign Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez during the August transfer window, but Inter president Giuseppe Marotta immediately ruled out a deal.

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Laporta disclosed the details on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, explaining that his personal approach to Marotta ended the Spanish club’s pursuit before negotiations could progress.

“I’ve tried in every way to get Lautaro Martínez in August,” Laporta said, describing the Argentina international as an “excellent striker” whom Barcelona wanted to bring to the club.

Laporta said he personally called Marotta to express Barcelona’s interest, but the Inter president made the Italian club’s position clear from the outset.

“He told me clearly that the player was not for sale,” Laporta said, adding that he respected Marotta and Inter’s decision.

The admission confirms that the interest surrounding Lautaro during the summer transfer window was genuine rather than simply transfer speculation.

Barcelona had been searching for attacking reinforcements during the window, with Atlético Madrid forward Julián Alvarez also among the club’s targets. Barcelona ultimately failed to secure either Argentine forward.

Barcelona sporting director Deco previously confirmed that Lautaro had been considered by the club, but said Barcelona stopped exploring the possibility once Inter made clear that the striker was unavailable.

“At one point, amongst the strikers we were looking at, Lautaro was one of them,” Deco said in September. “The moment the club told us he wasn’t available, we didn’t even try or discuss it any further.”

Laporta’s account offers a slightly more personal picture of the approach, revealing that he went directly to Marotta rather than relying solely on intermediaries.

According to Laporta, Marotta did not allow the conversation to develop into negotiations because Inter had already decided that Martínez would remain in Milan.

The Inter stance was also consistent with reports from earlier in August. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported at the time that Inter regarded Martínez as central to the club’s plans for the 2026/27 season and would not consider selling him.

Martínez himself had also indicated earlier in September that he was comfortable remaining at Inter despite the reported interest from Barcelona.

The Argentine striker acknowledged that Barcelona’s interest was an honour but said his intention was to stay in Milan and continue his career with Inter.

That position helped bring an end to a transfer story that had gathered momentum towards the end of the summer window.

For Barcelona, the failure to sign Martínez meant the club had to consider alternative solutions in attack.

The Catalan side eventually brought in Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal as a rotational option, while Raphinha has also been used centrally.

Raphinha’s adaptation to the centre-forward role has subsequently provided Barcelona with an unexpected attacking option. Deco said the Brazilian had performed at a level beyond what the club initially anticipated.

For Inter, meanwhile, keeping Martínez preserves the services of a player who remains central to the club’s plans and leadership structure.

Laporta said his relationship with Marotta also influenced Barcelona’s decision to respect Inter’s position rather than push the matter further.

“There is a relationship of mutual trust between Marotta and me,” Laporta said, explaining that Barcelona stopped pursuing the transfer out of respect for Inter’s position.

The failed move also illustrates the difficulty Barcelona faced in trying to strengthen their attack during the summer.

Both Martínez and Alvarez were prominent targets, but their respective clubs were unwilling to sanction their departures.

Martínez therefore remains at Inter, while Barcelona have moved forward with the attacking options available to Hansi Flick.

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The revelation from Laporta nevertheless provides a clearer picture of just how seriously Barcelona considered the Argentina international before Inter’s firm response brought the pursuit to an abrupt end.