Barcelona have been rejected by Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez after the recent transfer request by Lionel Messi. Martinez was hoping to team-up with Messi according to reports.

Barcelona’s summer keeps getting worse.

With Lionel Messi constantly adding pressure onto Barcelona to push his departure through, another blow has been dealt to the Catalan giants.

Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan has been constantly linked with Barcelona for at least 12 months with the Spanish side being in negotiations the entire time. 

With Martinez being attainable for around €100 million it seemed like he would be joining Barcelona this summer.

However, Martinez has now rejected Barcelona due to the Messi situation according to Corriere dello Sport in Italy.

The 23-year-old had a €100 million release clause in his Inter Milan contract which expired over the summer. 

His proposed new deal could eradicate any chance of a release clause in the future, meaning Barcelona would have to pay the market price for the Inter striker. 

Martinez scored 21 goals in 49 appearances for Antonio Conte’s side last season, only finishing second in the Serie A behind eventual winners Juventus.

He originally joined Inter back in 2018 from Racing Santander in Argentina for £20 million.

Barcelona have instead been linked with the likes of Memphis Depay and Sadio Mane as Messi replacements if the Argentine gets his wish to leave the club.

source:- sportbible