Beppe Marotta dismisses Lautaro Martinez to Barcelona rumours

 

Inter Milan chief Beppe Marotta has dismissed the ongoing speculation linking Lautaro Martinez with a possible move to Barcelona. The Argentine has made a vast improvement from his debut season at the Nerazzurri and he has already amassed 16 goals from 28 appearances across all competitions this term.

 

His form has caught the attention of some of Europe’s elite and of late, he has been linked with a summer move to Barcelona, who are eyeing a competitor for Luis Suarez, who has recently suffered multiple knee injuries. In response to the rumours, Marotta has clarified that the Argentina international is only interested in playing for the Nerazzurri and won’t part ways with the club unless he puts a transfer request on the table, he told Sky Italia: “Rumours regarding Lautaro? He is very young and improving. He is only interested in wearing the glorious shirt of Inter. This club has nothing to envy others. Players can leave only if they ask to leave.”

Martinez and Romelu Lukaku have formed an impressive partnership upfront for the San Siro giants, who have been in the running for the Serie A title from the start of the campaign. Recently, they claimed to the top of the standings on goal difference to Juventus but the joy was short-lived with the defeat at Lazio thereafter.

As such, they have dropped to third on the table with a three-point difference to Juventus at the top and in between them, they have Lazio, who have emerged as surprise contenders for the Scudetto. The Capital outfit have not won the league title for two decades but their stunning form over the past few months has brought them within one point off the Bianconeri. When compared to Juventus and Inter, Lazio have no European commitments for the rest of the campaign and that could enhance their prospects of winning the Italian crown.