Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu admits the negotiations with Inter for Lautaro Martinez have ended, while he’s sure Leo Messi will ‘keep his word.’
The two clubs have been at loggerheads for months over the Lautaro situation, with Inter refusing to budge from the €111m release clause, which has now expired anyway.
“Barca did speak to Inter about Lautaro for several weeks, but the negotiations were interrupted by mutual agreement,” Bartomeu told Spanish newspaper Sport.
Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu admits the negotiations with Inter for Lautaro Martinez have ended, while he’s sure Leo Messi will ‘keep his word.’
The two clubs have been at loggerheads for months over the Lautaro situation, with Inter refusing to budge from the €111m release clause, which has now expired anyway.
“Barca did speak to Inter about Lautaro for several weeks, but the negotiations were interrupted by mutual agreement,” Bartomeu told Spanish newspaper Sport.
“The situation at the moment does not lend itself to big investments.”
The same is true of attempts to bring Neymar back from Paris Saint-Germain, which Bartomeu called “financially unviable.”
Over the last week, rumours have persisted that Inter would like to tempt Messi into a new experience after spending his entire career at Camp Nou, but the Barcelona President is not concerned.
“Messi has always said he wants to end his professional experience at Barca. Despite the fact his contract expires in 2021, Leo will have another three or four years of top level football.
“I have no doubts he will keep his word and see out his career in Barcelona.”