Barcelona have firmly shut down speculation linking them with Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirming the club have shown no concrete interest in the Argentine forward. The denial comes as the Catalans remain locked in protracted talks over Julian Álvarez with Atlético Madrid, their primary striker target this summer.
Romano Dismisses Martínez Links
The Barcelona rumour emerged amid growing uncertainty surrounding their pursuit of Álvarez, prompting widespread speculation about alternative striking options. However, Romano has moved swiftly to extinguish talk of a Martínez move, corroborating an earlier statement from Diario SPORT that dismissed any prospect of the Inter Milan forward joining the club this window.
Barcelona’s striker department faces genuine strain heading into the new campaign. Robert Lewandowski departed after his contract expired at the end of last season, while Ferran Torres is on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain. Should negotiations with Atlético over Álvarez collapse, the Catalan side risks entering the season without a recognised number nine.
A Target From Barcelona’s Past
Although Martínez is not in Hansi Flick‘s immediate plans, Barcelona have previously courted the Inter captain. During the pandemic, the club identified the Argentine as a key prospect while he was prolific for the Nerazzurri, and pursued him as a long-term striker solution. Martínez has sustained that output, continuing to deliver at Inter despite the years that have passed.
Yet Flick’s tactical blueprint has steered Barcelona away from revisiting that interest. Martínez operates in a more traditional centre-forward mould—stylistically closer to Lewandowski’s profile than the dynamic pressing and interchangeable positioning Álvarez offers. Barcelona believe their ideal recruit must provide greater tactical flexibility to unlock attacking potential across multiple positions, a quality they value more than pure finishing prowess in their evolving system.
Why Álvarez Remains the Priority
Barcelona’s refusal to pivot toward Martínez underscores their conviction that Álvarez represents the superior fit for Flick’s requirements. His versatility, work rate, and ability to operate across the front line align more closely with the manager’s pressing-based demands than a more stationary, traditionally-positioned striker. The club’s willingness to endure Atlético Madrid’s resistance over Álvarez rather than settle for Martínez demonstrates how precisely they have defined their attacking profile for the season ahead.
