Inter, Ausilio warns Barcelona: "To get Lautaro you must pay the release clause"

Inter director Piero Ausilio was interviewed on the Sky program The Transfer Market to Come, and spoke explicitly about the situation around star striker Lautaro Martinez and the interest from Barcelona. Ausilio clarified Inter's position on a sale, stressing the importance of the player's exit clause: "If you want Lautaro, you must pay the release clause. In reality regarding Martinez there is only one path that can take him away from Inter, and it's paying the clause. The clause is binding, everyone is aware, and all its facets must be respected. The clause exires on 1 July so it's not there for very long. And it's the only possibility that exists today to not see Lautaro Martinez departing Inter. We are not discussing the situation with Lautaro with anyone. Simply put, we are counting on him, he is an important asset to the club, and we can't forget that he still has two years of contract with Inter. We have no intention of selling our most important players, but rather to restrengthen through the market. and that's imporant to Lautaro too." 

Ausilio was also asked if a counterpart could be included to partially compensate for the €111m clause. "Many clubs have contacted us bringing up the topic of Lautaro. The most forceful has been Barcelona with whom we have a friendly and cordial relationship. Barcelona know our intentions, we aren't hiding them. Inter has no intention of selling Lautaro Martinez. But there is a clause, I thought it was clear."