In Italy, speculations are rife surrounding the future of Mauro Icardi. The 21-year-old Argentine striker is considered one of the top talents in world football, but whether Inter Milan can keep him for long remains to be seen.
The reason being, Icardi, who scored ten goals this season in all competitions, and is thought to be a reported target of Atletico Madrid and several big Premier League clubs.
According to Martin Criscitiello of TMW, the Inter striker is increasingly getting frustrated with life in Italy and especially at San Siro, with his contract renewal issues have hit a road-block.
The report suggest that Inter have already started negotiation with Atletico Madrid, and further progress is expected this week.
To clarify, Atletico are willing to do a direct swap deal involving Italian forward Alessio Cerci, who signed a three-year-deal with the Rojiblancos in the summer. The 27-year-old has just made three league appearances for the La Liga champions, while Spanish press claim Diego Simeone is not impressed with him at all. Therefore, he could be transferred in January, with Inter keen to sign him up.
You might be wondering what has Chelsea got to do with all these transfer background? TMW also claim in that article that Icardi prefers a move to London, where Chelsea is one of his preferred choice of clubs. In fact, he has been linked with a move to Chelsea by the English press in the last month only.
Icardi scored a brilliant goal against Udinese on Sunday, but couldn’t help his team beat their rivals as the Nerazzurri lost out 2-1 in the Serie A. Roberto Mancini recently claimed that the Argentine could be a top class centre forward in future and that he has full confidence in him.
.@robymancio: “I think Icardi can develop into a top-class centre forward. I have a lot of confidence in him” #InterUdinese #FCIM — F.C. Internazionale (@Inter_en) December 6, 2014
If Inter really decide to sell Icardi to Atletico Madrid in January for a direct swap deal, it would represent yet another poor piece of business from the Nerazzurri. However, the situation could change with Mancini, the new manager in charge and a proven winner.
On the other hand, no top Premier League clubs probably would want to sign him in January. Chelsea have a solid bench strength and the Blues do not need a striker at the moment and in case they do, the Londoners have reportedly other targets to focus on like Roma’s Mattia Destro.
Similarly, Tottenham and Liverpool, two other clubs frequently linked with Icardi may not need for another striker at the moment.
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