Mauro Icardi’s wife and agent Wanda Nara has once more ignited speculation over the Inter Milan captain’s future, claiming both Arsenal and Tottenham have showed interest in signing him.
Recent days have seen the Argentine’s future come under renewed speculation after Nara, who has represented her client since October, 2015, claiming in a recent interview with Calciomercato that the Italian club want to sell Icardi.
Inter moved swiftly to cool speculation, their sporting director Piero Ausilio insisting that Icardi is not for sale especially as it is just a year after he signed a new contract, but those comments have done little quell Nara’s claims.
Moreover, when it was suggested that she was trying to engineer Icardi’s departure, she denied it. She told Corriere della Sera: “We want to stay in Milan. People say I am a mercenary, but I am not. [Inter] have to say the truth. They can’t say Icardi is not for sale and then talk to other clubs.”
“I’ve asked for a renewal because the club had promised me a renewal. Last year we accepted their conditions, which means a lower salary, the sale of the 50% of Mauro’s economic rights and there is no release clause on his contract. They have to keep their promises.”
“There are many offers, but I do not negotiate with other clubs. I only talk about Mauro’s contract, that’s my role, not doing negotiations. Atletico Madrid, Tottenham, and Arsenal have made contact. Napoli and Roma are also interested now.”
The agent went on to claim that Juventus, who are seeking a replacement for Alvaro Morata after he returned to Real Madrid in a £25million deal, had offered £42m for Icardi.
Despite Nara’s claims, a move to Tottenham would appear unlikely after they completed the £18m signing of Vincent Janssen, who is expected to provide backup to Harry Kane.
However Arsenal, who monitored Icardi in the closing months of last season, have been forced to cast their net wider in recent months.
Morata, Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli are believed to rank higher on Arsene Wenger’s wishlist but all three carry price tags of over £40m.
The Argentine has bagged 38 Serie A goals over 69 appearances in the past two seasons, aspiring with Luca Toni to win the Capocannoniere title awarded to the league’s top scorer in 2014/15.