Speaking to DAZN on Wednesday, Marotta went significantly further than previous statements, confirming for the first time that Inter have not received a single formal offer for the Italy international centre-back, and that Bastoni himself has never expressed a desire to leave.
"I think our fans can be relaxed with the Bastoni situation," Marotta said. "He never asked to leave. He is very happy here and we are not a selling club. I think he will stay with us."
He then offered the clearest articulation yet of Inter's position on player transfers.
"If a player leaves, it is because he expressed the desire to leave. He has absolutely not expressed the desire to leave."
The statement effectively closes the chapter on one of the longest-running transfer stories of the season. Barcelona had been linked with Bastoni since January, with Spanish and Italian media repeatedly describing the Catalan club's interest as concrete and their intention to sign him as settled.
The source documents for this story confirm that Barcelona had never submitted a formal bid and that negotiations had gone cold in recent weeks — a position now publicly confirmed by the club who hold his contract.
Bastoni, 26, was one of the standout defenders in Serie A this season as Inter won the Scudetto for the second consecutive year under coach Cristian Chivu, who succeeded Simone Inzaghi last summer. Inter also won the Coppa Italia, completing a domestic Double. Bastoni featured in 37 competitive appearances and is widely regarded as among the top three or four centre-backs in European football.
His contract runs until June 2028. Inter Milan are already in discussions with his representatives over a further extension to 2030.
For Barcelona, the search for a left-sided centre-back continues. The club had identified Bastoni as the priority but have now switched fully toward Porto's Jakub Kiwior and Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini as alternative options. Real Madrid, who share the interest in Bastoni through incoming coach José Mourinho, face the same wall.
Bastoni is not leaving. Marotta has said so three times in three months. The message, at last, appears to have landed.