90min

Inter Chief Dismisses Lionel Messi & N'Golo Kante Links, Confirms Lautaro Martinez Stay

By James Cormack

Inter were one of the clubs linked with an audacious move for Lionel Messi
Inter were one of the clubs linked with an audacious move for Lionel Messi / Pool/Getty Images
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Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has firmly ruled out a move for Barcelona wantaway Lionel Messi this summer.

The disgruntled Argentine stunned the football world via fax last week, as he alerted the Barça hierarchy of his desire to leave the club before the start of the 2020/21 campaign, declaring that he'll activate a clause to unilaterally end his contract.

Messi stunned the football world last Tuesday
Messi stunned the football world last Tuesday / Pool/Getty Images

His desired departure, however, is set to be an incredibly complex one, with La Liga insisting Messi won't be able to leave Catalonia unless his €700m release clause is met. It doesn't appear the 33-year-old will be able to exit on a free transfer.

Nevertheless, Inter emerged as one of the many clubs with a supposed interest in acquiring the Barcelona great, although an already unlikely move to the Nerazzurri has been firmly shunned by sporting director Ausilio.

“We’re not going to sign Leo Messi. I don’t even know where are coming from these crazy rumours," he said, speaking to Sky Sports Italia.

Ausilio was similarly dismissive of a potential move for Chelsea's N'Golo Kanté: "No chance. He’s not a target.

"Our transfer market will be prudent and it will be done with a lot of attention. It will be planned through the sales that we make."

The thought of a potential move to Barcelona seemed to have a negative effect on Lautaro's form after the restart
The thought of a potential move to Barcelona seemed to have a negative effect on Lautaro's form after the restart / Pool/Getty Images

Speaking of which, much has been made of the future of Lautaro Martinez throughout the spring and summer, with El Toro linked with a €111m switch to Barcelona.

Ausilio, however, is sure Lautaro will remain in Milan for next season, remarking: “We never started official talks with Barcelona for Lautaro Martinez. The day after the release clause expired we considered him out of the market. It’s over”.

Lautaro's stay is a huge boost for Antonio Conte, who guided Inter to second in Serie A - just a point off champions Juventus - and the Europa League final in his debut season at the helm, and the Nerazzurri will be confident of usurping the Bianconeri's domination of Calcio over the past decade next time around.

Astute work in the transfer market will be key, though, and it appears Inter are set to welcome two more additions following the arrival of Achraf Hakimi earlier this summer.

Arturo Vidal's move to Inter this summer seems inevitable
Arturo Vidal's move to Inter this summer seems inevitable / RAFAEL MARCHANTE/Getty Images

Ausilio confirmed interest and talks for a pair of well-documented Nerazzurri targets.

“We like Arturo Vidal for sure. But he’s a Barcelona player right now. If they’ll let him go at right conditions, we’ll consider to sign him. I can confirm that we’re in talks to sign Aleksandar Kolarov from Roma. There are good chances," he added.