The rumours were true! Inter captain confesses he snubbed Barcelona

Lautaro Martínez has finally lifted the lid on the summer's worst-kept secret: Barcelona really did come for him, and he said no.

Details: The Inter captain confirmed that the rumours about Barcelona's interest were true, but stressed that he chose to stay at the Nerazzurri. In August the Catalan club made him their No.1 striker target as an alternative to Julián Álvarez, but Inter called their captain untouchable and never opened the door.

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For Barcelona, who spent the window hunting a long-term successor at No.9 under Hansi Flick, it is another closed door after Atlético's firm stance on Álvarez. For Inter, it is a statement of loyalty from the face of the project. El Toro, 29, has been in Milan since arriving from Racing in 2018, became captain, won the 2024 and 2026 Serie A titles and a World Cup with Argentina in 2022, and stands as the club's all-time top-scoring foreigner after passing Istvan Nyers. His contract runs until 2029, and with Transfermarkt valuing him at around €58 million, he remains one of Europe's elite forwards, one who keeps choosing San Siro over every suitor.

It's worth noting that this is not the first time Lautaro has rejected the Camp Nou: Barcelona already pushed hard for him in 2020, and six years later the answer from Milan is exactly the same.

Reminder: Major twist at Atlético! Julián Álvarez is back with the squad.