🚨⚫️🔵 Inter president Marotta: “Lautaro Martínez didn’t want to have any approach or discussions with Barcelona”. “Also Via @FabrizioRomano on X

What happened: Inter president Marotta said club-to-club negotiations were impossible because the club considers Martínez indispensable to winning titles. Martínez said last week that he had chosen to remain with Inter.

Why it matters: Barcelona loses a potential route to a No. 9, while Inter retains the centerpiece of its attack. Martínez's two-goal performance against Napoli on Saturday underlined the immediate competitive cost of selling him.

By the numbers: Martínez, 29, is in his ninth season with Inter and is under contract through 2029.

What to watch: Barcelona's next striker-market move bears watching, while Martínez's form will help shape Inter's title campaign.

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