Joan Laporta confirms Barcelona's failed attempt to sign Lautaro Martínez

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club attempted to sign Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez during the summer transfer window. Laporta described the Argentine striker as an ‘incredible’ player that the club did not want to miss out on.

According to Laporta, he personally contacted Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta to discuss a potential transfer. However, Marotta informed him that Martínez was not for sale and that the club had no intention of letting him leave. Laporta stated that he ceased pursuit of the player out of respect for Marotta.

Reports indicate that Martínez may have been open to the move provided that an amicable agreement could be reached with Inter, a club to which he maintains a deep emotional connection. Ultimately, Inter Milan's decision to keep their captain, combined with the lack of time to find a suitable replacement, concluded the negotiations.