Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu says captain Lautaro Martinez is expected to remain at the club for many years, despite growing reports linking the Argentina forward with a move to Barcelona.
Inter begin their new Serie A campaign at home to Monza at San Siro on Saturday, with the match available to watch on stc. The Nerazzurri go into the season aware that they will be regarded as the team to beat in Italy.
“We start from zero, knowing that we are the team to beat. Nobody will give us anything for free, so we will try to be competitive and chase our ambitions until the end,” Chivu said at his pre-match news conference.
The Romanian added that Inter must match the standards they have set in recent seasons while continuing to improve.
“In recent years, this team has shown that it can maintain its level, so we need to keep that level and add more as well. With determination, hunger and humility, and with the room for improvement we have, I believe we can do a great job,” he said, in comments reported by Football Italia.
When asked which team Inter feared most in Italy or Europe, Chivu dismissed the idea that his side should be intimidated by any opponent.
“No-one. We all start from zero, and we cannot be satisfied with what we have achieved. We must find new motivation to continue improving. I do not think much has changed in one year,” he said.
“We were not finished at that time, and we are not guaranteed dominance now. Every season has its ups and downs, and what matters is how you react.”
Reports in Spain, Argentina and Italy have intensified in recent weeks over Barcelona’s interest in Martinez. The Catalan club’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez from Atletico de Madrid has become more complicated, increasing speculation that they could turn their attention to the Inter captain.
Chivu said he welcomed the attention on his players but insisted Martinez remained central to Inter’s plans.
“There are always stories and news at this time of year. We are happy to talk about our players, because it means they are regarded as being among the best in the world,” said Chivu.
“Lautaro is our captain, he won the World Cup in 2022, and he was in the final a few weeks ago. He is a great player, and we are holding on to him strongly because he represents what we have been and what we want to be in the future.”
Asked whether he and Inter had guarantees that Barcelona would not tempt Martinez away, Chivu replied: “I fear nothing. Lauti is the captain, and there may be a lot of talk about him, but I believe he will stay for a long time because he is a player we want to build the future with.”
He added: “I also know that the transfer market can be a little difficult, so the only answer I can give is that I want him to stay.”
Inter have made several changes during the summer transfer window, including the departure of Denzel Dumfries. The club moved to replace him with Djed Spence of Tottenham after several other deals failed to materialise.
A number of players from the Premier League have also joined the squad, including John Stones and Curtis Jones.
“Our duty is to improve and continue preparing for the future. I will not deny that I spoke to Jones before he arrived, and I am happy to have him with us because he has some of the qualities we needed,” Chivu said.
“The same applies to Spence and Stones. They understand very well the importance of this club and the levels the team has reached in recent years. I am sure we will be able to raise the level even further with these new additions.”
Chivu also rejected direct comparisons between Spence and Dumfries.
“It is not right to compare Spence with Dumfries, but we chose him because of his specific qualities. He also has room to develop, and he is joining a team that wants to dominate again,” he said.
