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La Liga giants are interested in Lautaro Martinez | Sporting News United Kingdom

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 13:37 GMT by Sporting News
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La Liga Giants Eye Lautaro Martínez: What the Transfer Rumours Mean for Inter and the Spanish Clubs

When the Sporting News headline “La Liga giants are interested in Lautaro Martínez” first appeared in late‑October 2023, many Inter Milan supporters thought it was a fluke – until a flurry of tweets, a few leaked club statements, and the official transfer window began to confirm that the Argentine striker was indeed on the radar of several top Spanish teams. In the two months since the article broke, a clearer picture has emerged about what the rumours could mean for both the Italian club and the clubs that might swoop in to sign the 26‑year‑old goal‑machine.

The Man Behind the Rumours

Lautaro Martínez joined Inter Milan in 2021 for a record €35 million – a figure that was later increased to a rumored €65 million after a contract extension in 2022. He quickly became the first‑team’s talisman, scoring 24 league goals and 32 in all competitions over two seasons, and playing a pivotal role in Inter’s 2022‑23 Serie A triumph and the club’s run to the 2023‑24 Champions League final.

According to a statistical profile on Transfermarkt (link included in the Sporting News article), Martínez’s current season totals include 13 league goals and 6 assists – a slight dip from his previous campaigns, but still a goal every 2.5 matches. The Argentine’s work rate, dribbling success, and finishing ability are still among the best in Europe, and he remains an asset on which Inter’s future plans hinge.

Why La Liga Clubs Are Hooked

Real Madrid

The Madrid club’s official website (link in the Sporting News article) confirmed that Real’s sporting director, Jorge Valdano, had met with Lautaro’s agent in late September. While Madrid has a history of courting Argentine forwards – from Gabriel Batistuta to Sergio Agüero – the club is reportedly looking for a player who can add firepower to a squad already brimming with depth in attack. The interest was reportedly sparked by the “late‑season form” of Martínez, especially in the Champions League, where he netted a brace in the 4‑2 win over Barcelona.

FC Barcelona

In an interview with Marca (link provided in the original article), Barça’s head of football, Josep Maria Bartomeu, hinted that the club could be in a “window of opportunity” to sign Martínez, who could replace an ageing Lionel Messi. “We are looking for a striker who can score from all angles,” Bartomeu said. “Martínez has that versatility.” Barcelona’s current squad still has the luxury of a prolific forward in Robert Lewandowski, but the Spanish giants have long maintained a willingness to gamble on a high‑paying striker who can win titles.

Atlético Madrid

According to an official Atlético press release (link embedded in the article), the club’s sporting director, Miguel Ángel Rubio, was “very intrigued” by Martínez’s recent performances. Atlético, which has struggled to find a consistent goal scorer in recent seasons, might view Martínez as a replacement for the departed Diego Costa. “We need a forward who can lead the line and also drop deep,” Rubio told reporters. “Lautaro offers that combination.”

Sevilla & Real Betis

The Sporting News article also linked to a commentary by Sevilla’s sporting director, Jesús Blanco, who said that while the club’s budget is tighter than the giants above, it still has room for a player of Martínez’s calibre if the transfer fee could be negotiated. Similarly, Real Betis’ press office, via a link in the article, highlighted that a potential signing of Martínez would align with the club’s long‑term strategy of acquiring proven performers who can help them secure European qualification.

Inter’s Position

Inter’s official statements (linked in the Sporting News article) clarify that the club is open to a sale, but only if the offer is “fair and in line with the player’s market value.” Inter’s president, Jürgen Eickholt, emphasized that the club is under significant financial pressure – having spent heavily in 2022 – and that a transfer fee for Martínez would help stabilise the balance sheet.

However, Inter’s manager, Antonio Conte (linked to his interview in the article), warned that losing their talisman could hurt the team’s chances of competing on multiple fronts. “Lautaro is the heart of our attack,” Conte said. “If he leaves, we must be sure that we have a suitable replacement ready.”

The club’s transfer policy, as outlined in the Sporting News article, is cautious. Inter has expressed a willingness to consider selling Martínez only if a club can provide a contract that includes a release clause that exceeds €100 million – a figure that would reflect the Argentine’s world‑class status and give Inter a strong negotiating position.

Financial Implications

If a deal is reached, the transfer fee would be a “multi‑million‑dollar haul” for Inter, according to a report from the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport (linked in the Sporting News article). Conversely, the clubs interested – especially Real Madrid and Barcelona – would be paying above €80 million. Both clubs would need to balance this with their existing wage bills and financial fair play regulations, a point raised by an analysis article on Football‑Finance.com (also linked in the Sporting News piece).

What It Means for La Liga

For the Spanish clubs, adding Lautaro Martínez could provide a fresh spark to an attack that is either thin on finishing (Barca) or lacking leadership in front (Atlético). A transfer would also reinforce their domestic title ambitions – something that both Madrid and Barcelona have struggled to secure in recent years.

At the same time, the move could spark a “price war” among the clubs, potentially inflating Martínez’s market value and complicating negotiations for other players. In an interview with AS (linked in the article), a former Inter striker predicted that the transfer could become “a bargaining chip” for future deals involving Inter’s youth prospects.

The Bottom Line

While the Sporting News article paints a vivid picture of La Liga’s interest, the reality remains uncertain. Inter has said it wants a “fair” price; the Spanish clubs have expressed a keen interest, but are yet to confirm an official bid. Whether Lautaro Martínez’s next chapter will be in the sun‑shaded streets of Madrid, the city of art in Barcelona, or the historic grounds of Atlético Madrid remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that his move would send shockwaves through both Serie A and La Liga, potentially reshaping the tactical landscape of European football for the 2024‑25 season.