Reports: Tottenham Hotspur looking to sign Mauro Icardi
Tottenham Hotspur have sent emissaries to hold talks with Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, according to Sky Sports Italia. However, the Italian club seem determined to hold on to the Argentine striker.
Spurs have been on the lookout for a striker for quite a while, and have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Vincent Jansen after AZ Alkmaar turned down their bid for the Dutch striker. Their new target, Icardi, is considerably more expensive but a player they seem keen to get.
The Premier League club’s representatives have apparently already made a trip to Milan to approach Icardi, to personally convince the player to join their club.
Icardi is only 23-year-old and already has 52 goals in 105 games for an Inter Milan side that has often struggled in the Italian Serie A. His efficiency in front of goal has been remarkably consistent. He won the Serie A top-scorer award in the 2014-15 season and is a quick, tactically intelligent and strong striker with great technique.
Spurs are said to be ready with a substantial bid of €45 million euros , although even with that figure Inter are believed to be reluctant to sell him. Finding a replacement will be far from easy for them in an inflated market with world class strikers particularly, not available on the cheap.
Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are also reported to be keeping a close eye on proceedings and could also put in a bid if the Nerazzurri show a willingness to sell their star striker. Inter don’t appear keen on selling Icardi but they are waiting to see the value of the final offer before evaluating the transfer with their new owners.
All three of the aforementioned clubs will be able to offer Icardi Champions League football, a competition Inter will not be competing in the 2016-17 season and it remains to be seen how crucial of a factor that could be in persuading a player who otherwise seems well settled in Italy.