EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Inter Milan head coach Christian Chivu has on Friday spoken out on the speculation linking star striker and captain Lautaro Martínez with a move to Spain with Barcelona.
The name of frontman Lautaro has of course emerged as an altogether prominent one in the media headlines in Catalunya’s capital across the week to date.
Amid ongoing frustration in their pursuit of first-choice centre-forward target Julián Alvarez, the Barcelona brass are understood to have shifted focus towards a potential deal for his fellow countryman.
Lautaro is fresh off another productive campaign in Italy, giving rise to 28 direct goal contributions as Inter Milan secured the club’s latest Scudetto crown.
With his side’s talisman on the shortlist of those in the boardroom at the Spotify Camp Nou, the aforementioned Christian Chivu was on Friday therefore drawn on Lautaro’s immediate future.
And Inter’s headmaster went on to explain:
“Lautaro is our captain and we keep him with us. I think he will stay here for a very long time. Then the transfer market is a bastard… so I’m not gonna reply. For sure, we want Lautaro to stay here.”
🚨🇦🇷 Inter manager Cristian Chivu: “Lautaro is our captain and we keep him with us. I think he will stay here for very long time”.
“Then the transfer market is bastard… so I’m not gonna reply. For sure we want Lautaro to stay here”. pic.twitter.com/YEb2xVkZ4v
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2026
Conor Laird – GSFN