Ausilio insists Barcelona must trigger Lautaro’s release clause to buy him

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has insisted that the club have no plans to part ways with Lautaro Martinez and Barcelona will need to meet his release clause to land his signature. The Argentina international has been identified as the prime target for the Blaugrana this summer as they aim to find a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez.

In recent weeks, it has been claimed that the Blaugrana could negotiate a swap deal with the Nerazzurri for Martinez such that they can negotiate a lesser price than the £102m buy-out clause. However, Ausilio has indicated that the San Siro outfit have no intention of selling their prized asset and the Blaugrana must activate the clause to secure his services.

“The reality of the situation with Martinez is that there’s only one path to take him away from Inter and that is to pay the release clause. First and foremost, the clause expires in early July, so does not last very long. It’s the only possible way right now that we won’t see Lautaro Martinez at Inter next season.Many clubs contacted us to discuss Lautaro. Among those, the most determined is Barcelona. We have a friendly and cordial relationship with them. I know that Barcelona knows perfectly well what our intentions are. Inter have no intention of selling Lautaro Martinez. Then, I repeat there is a clause,” He told Sky Sport Italia.

The Blaugrana have been financially hampered by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and they are currently not in a position to afford the player’s price tag. A potential exchange deal could have aided their prospects of landing the marksman but that route has now been blocked by the Nerazzurri. Hence, the club would need to recoup funds from the sale of unwanted players to land Martinez but that may not happen before the striker’s release clause expires next month as the reopening of the transfer window is set to be delayed.