Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that Barcelona are among the sides interested in Lautaro Martinez ahead of the summer transfer window.
Barca have supposedly pinpointed the Argentine as a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez at Camp Nou, and the Catalan giants have been strongly tipped to move for Martinez in recent months.
Marotta has since revealed that several clubs are keeping a close eye on developments surrounding the striker's future, but the Inter executive is optimistic that Martinez will remain in Italy beyond the summer.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Marotta said: "Lautaro Martinez is the focus of other clubs' attention on the transfer market, everyone knows this.
"He has immense quality and many teams who would love to negotiate with us for him. Inter have no intention of selling our best players, so if a player does not express the desire to leave, then we'll hold on tight.
"Lautaro is flattered by the attention of big clubs, but he has never expressed the desire to leave. Never. I am very optimistic that we'll see him playing for us again next season."
Martinez netted Inter's second goal in their 2-1 win over Sampdoria upon their return to Serie A on Sunday evening, taking his total for the season to 17 strikes across all competitions.
Ben Knapton
