Football icon Javier Zanetti: Lautaro Martinez will stay at Inter Milan.

Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan [Getty]

Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti insists Lautaro Martinez isn’t leaving the club amid reported interest from Spanish Barcelona.

Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez will continue to ply his trade at Inter Milan, says Nerazzurri’s vice-president Javier Zanetti.

Martinez, who scored 21 goals in all competitions for the Italian side, continues to be heavily linked with a move to LaLiga giants Barca despite the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, Lautaro’s compatriot Zanetti has poured cold water on reports making the rounds about the striker’s exit.

"Lautaro isn't leaving Inter," Zanetti told Fox Sports. "It's not just Barcelona who are interested in him, but Lautaro knows that he's at a great club already.

"He looks happy with life in Italy, which isn't easy. I think he's going down the right path.

"For now, he's not leaving. He's our present and future. There's respect on the clubs' part.

"There are players that have release clauses and there's little you can do when a club comes in and pays it.

"But in Lautaro's case, he's just fine at Inter and I can tell when he's happy."

Inter Milan resume their 2020-21 Serie A campaign against Fiorentina on September 26 at the San Siro.

Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.