Inter director Beppe Marotta confirms Romelu Lukaku demanded a transfer to Chelsea, but Lautaro Martinez ‘asked to stay at Inter, despite receiving other lucrative offers.’
The Nerazzurri begin their Serie A season today against Genoa, you can follow the action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
“It is the start of a new season, we have the Scudetto on our chests and must honour it in the best possible way,” Marotta told DAZN.
“I feel there are seven clubs who are in the running for the Scudetto, Inter are a prestigious club and must be ambitious, which I believe we will be.”
Simone Inzaghi has replaced Antonio Conte, one of several big changes to the side that won the title.
“Our impressions are extremely positive, we know what he was able to give to Lazio over the years, both as a player and a coach, always professional and reliable. There was no better profile we could go for and we are very pleased to have him here.
“He is the real leader of this team and we trust he can give us a great deal. Of course, there have been some departures, above all Lukaku, and there is little a club can do when a player comes to you with such an explicit demand to be sold.
“At the same time, the sale was able to help balance the books, and at the same time the club owners had pumped millions into Inter over the last few years, so that is all to be taken into account and remembered.”
While Lukaku walked away, Inter and Lautaro Martinez are ready to commit themselves to a new contract.
“Lautaro is a player who explicitly asked to stay at Inter, despite receiving other lucrative offers. We are proud of that, he wants to prove himself a champion here and we are very happy that he can continue his growth process at this club.”
Edin Dzeko starts today, but Inter are in negotiations for Duvan Zapata of Atalanta, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram and Lazio forward Joaquin Correa.
“I won’t disguise that we are looking for another striker, with what the market offers and the economic funds available. I wish to be very optimistic, reassure our fans that we are highly-motivated and will work to give our best for them and for us.”
LL=Lukaku the Liar.