Real Madrid are reportedly considering move for Inter Milan and Argentine striker Mauro Icardi as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema this summer.
This report is according to Spanish news publication Don Balon that claims there appears to be a new situation going on at Santiago Bernabeu after the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus this week and the French striker is another player who is likely to face the exit door at Madrid this summer and Icardi has been touted as a replacement.
The Frenchman is tipped to join former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli. Although, while Benzema’s move to Napoli is being worked out by the two clubs, his move to Italy would be determine whether or not Chelsea sign Gonzalo Higuain this summer as the Blues incoming new boss Maurizio Sarri wants Higuain with him at Chelsea.
Should happens as per reports, this would see a new birth in Real’s attack next season with Ronaldo now gone, Benzema on the move, with report elsewhere linking former Tottenham Hotspur’s and Welsh international Gareth Bale could join his former side this summer.
In light of this, many targets have been touted with Real, with the 13-time Champions League holders believed to be plotting a double swoop for Paris Saint-Germain Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. However, should the duo join Real, it will still leave the club with the prospect of finding a striker to replace Benzema as both Neymar and Mbappe are wide attackers and doesn’t look like they can be utilized as a false 9, which has seen Icardi linked with the La Liga.
Icardi, who has always had a mixed relationship with Milan fans, could consider joining Real for a new chapter in his career. The Argentine has been a world-class striker season in and season out. He boast a record of 107 goals and 23 assists across 182 appearances for the Nerazzurri’s.
Joining Real Madrid who command an hefty fee as he did sing a contract extension in 2016 that still runs till 2021. But, there have been many speculations linking him away from Italy. Aside Real, the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona have once been considered as potential destinations for the striker.
Although, Marca reported Tottenham’s Harry Kane is Real’s top primary target but Icardi has been making rounds at the top level for far longer than Kane and is thought to be more experienced to lead the Real Madrid frontline.
With Inter Milan lined up as one of the clubs interested in Mateo Kovacic, Real Madrid could use this as an opportunity to land Icardi forcing the Serie A giants to lower their €110 million valuation of Icardi by offering the services of the Croatian midfielder as part of the deal. This could hand them the advantage of signing Icardi this summer, although it all depends on whether Inter decides to sell him or not.