Barcelona, Inter Milan Hold Off Transfer Talks Involving Star Striker

Barcelona has held off talks with Inter Milan regarding the possible transfer of Lautaro Martinez to the Camp Nou. Citing that their priority is to finish their respective seasons first, both clubs bared that they plan to resume the negotiations in August.

“FC Barcelona and Inter Milan have taken a moratorium on negotiations over a deal for the Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez,” an article from Sport read, citing a report from La Gazzetta Dello Sport.' “Both clubs have agreed to resume talks over a transfer once the season ends.”

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu said in a recent interview, via a report from Mundo Deportivo, that they are “in a phase of analysis” with regards to the Martinez transfer talks.

The Catalans have two games left to play in La Liga while on the verge of losing the title to their arch-rivals at Real Madrid, who are now just two points away from sealing the season after a huge 2-1 victory over Granada on Monday.

Inter, meanwhile, still has a handful of Serie A games left to play. However, the club already considers that it is imperative to delay the negotiation process with Barca, believing that it is serving as a distraction to Martinez, who has visibly been not his usual self over the last couple of games for the club.

“The Italian club is not happy with Lautaro, who they feel has not been playing as well due to his thoughts being on a move to Barça,” the report added. “With talks temporarily stopped, Inter (is) hopeful that he will re-find his best form between now and the end of the campaign.”

Martinez’s release clause worth about $126 million has already expired but Barca has remained adamant in going after him.

According to Ernesto Hernandez of Everything Barca, the Blaugrana may have been forced to go back to the drawing board but the strategy to land Martinez is unlikely to change. In particular, the Catalans already said that they would not spend a lot of cash for the Argentine star. Instead, the club intends to package a smaller amount of money with a quality player in hopes to get the nod of Inter.