Chelsea and Barcelona have been linked with a move for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, with Barca believed to be the most interested in the Argentine.
However, Inter Milan sporting director, Piero Ausilio, has gone on TV to set the record straight: that the only way Barcelona or anyone can sign Lautaro is by paying his full release clause of €111 million in the player’s contract.
He said: “In reality, as far as Martinez is concerned, there is only one road that can take him away from Inter and that is the payment of a clause. It is the only possibility that exists to see Lautaro Martinez away from Inter today.
“We have a friendly and cordial relationship with [Barcelona]. I don’t hide this. And I know that Barcelona knows exactly what our intentions are. Inter have no intention of selling Lautaro Martínez. Then I repeat, there is a clause.”
Chelsea have long seemed to have backed down for a move for the Argentine due to his transfer value.