Inter Milan confirm they are not going to sell Mauro Icardi this summer
With Gonzalo Higuain confirming his move to Juventus earlier this week and Arsenal desperately looking for a striker, there's a huge cyclic effect currently on play involving some of Europe's top strikers – including Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi.
The Argentine has been an incredible signing for the Milanese club but has constantly been linked with a move to the Premier League or one of La Liga's top two guns in Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Icardi is also highly sought after by Napoli who want the 23-year-old to replace now-departed Higuain. Napoli have even bid a mammoth £45.5million for the striker but the club have turned it down and have insisted that the youngster isn't going anywhere this summer.
“We’re not going to sell Icardi. We’ve received offers – from Napoli too – but we’re not going to sell him,” Chief Erick Thohir told Inter Channel.
“We extended his contract a year ago. We’re like a family and we can always talk if there are problems or discuss what we’d like to achieve together in future.”
Arsenal were reportedly so interested in signing Icardi that they called his agent – who also happens to be his wife – to London to discuss what could be his future. Reports soon emerged that the Argentine agreed to send his wife to the Gunners' meeting only so he can gain an upper hand in contract negotiations with the Milanese club.
Napoli have already had more than three bids turned down by Inter this season. The 23-year-old scored 16 goals in 34 appearances for Roberto Mancini's side last season further outlining his talent in front of goal. Given his tender age, he has all the right ingredients and the time to ensure he improve as a striker.
It looks like Napoli are going to bid a few more times to ensure they force Inter into considering parting with the striker. More on that as it happens.