Barcelona reportedly agree terms with Lautaro. Only one small problem remains: Inter

Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement with Lautaro Martínez. That sounds serious. The problem is that Inter have not received an official offer and, according to Italian reports, have no intention of selling their captain at any price. The easy part of the operation has apparently been completed. All that remains is obtaining permission from the club that actually owns the player.

The agreement was reported by El Chiringuito journalist Marcos Benito. According to his information, Deco, Bojan Krkić and members of Lautaro’s camp met in Madrid last week. Those talks are said to have ended with Barcelona and the Argentine striker agreeing personal terms.

“I have information that an agreement has been reached with the player,” Benito said. “Barcelona have agreed terms with Lautaro. The only thing missing is an agreement between Inter and Barcelona over the price.”

José Álvarez, also reporting for El Chiringuito, added another detail. Barcelona are preparing an opening offer that will not exceed €100 million. Hansi Flick and Deco are both said to want Lautaro as the club’s new centre-forward, with the operation potentially accelerating next week.

It would still be extremely premature to describe the transfer as close to completion. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that no official proposal has arrived in Milan. Inter’s position is also clear: Lautaro is not for sale, and the club do not intend to reconsider even if Barcelona submit an offer.

Sky Sport Italia have reported a similar stance. Inter plan to begin the season with the Argentine as the central figure in their team. Lautaro is the club captain, one of the leading scorers in their history and under contract until 30 June 2029. This is not a player Inter are being forced to sell because his deal is approaching its final year.

Barcelona have found themselves in a rather familiar position. They spent weeks pursuing Julián Álvarez, whom Atlético Madrid refused to sell to them. They have now turned towards another Argentine striker, only for his club to immediately insist that they have no intention of negotiating either. The search function is working perfectly. The availability filter may need attention.

Reports of a personal agreement with Lautaro would represent an important step, but they do not confirm a transfer. The player, Barcelona and Inter have not announced any such arrangement. For now, it remains information from El Chiringuito, answered from Italy by an equally firm message: no offer has arrived and the captain is not leaving.

Even an offer worth up to €100 million may not make much of an impression in Milan. Inter have not placed a price on Lautaro because, according to the Italian reports, they do not want to open talks in the first place. Barcelona can prepare a proposal that fits within their limit, but somebody must first persuade Inter to read it.

Nicolò Tresoldi of Club Brugge and Viktor Gyökeres are also said to be among the alternatives. Flick reportedly prefers Lautaro, whose experience, pressing, work without the ball and scoring record make him an understandable target following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

The footballing idea makes complete sense. The financial and negotiating side is beginning to resemble another trip to a locked door. Barcelona reportedly have Lautaro’s approval and are willing to offer no more than €100 million. Inter have their captain, three more years of his contract and every right to answer with a single word.

That word has not officially arrived yet. It is unlikely to be “yes”.