The diabolical plot to keep Icardi from signing with Juventus
As the Mauro Icardi summer transfer saga continues, three teams are working together to deny Juventus a chance to sign the talented striker.
The fight to sign Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi just got that much more interesting.
While Juventus have emerged as the frontrunners to sign the Argentine star, Inter Milan have joined forces with two other contenders for his signature — Napoli and Roma — in an effort to deny the defending Italian champions.
The unprecedented plot would involve Napoli, Roma and Inter Milan all swapping strikers as part of a three-player deal that would have Icardi joining the Partneopei in time for the start of the season, the Italian sports daily Il Corriere dello Sport reportedly on Thursday.
The deal, the newspaper said, would also involve Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik going to Roma. The Giallorossi would them dispatch striker Edin Dzecko to Inter Milan.
The deal is all aimed at denying Juve the chance to snatch Icardi and making their roster that much stronger as they attempt to win a ninth straight Serie A title as well as try and win the Champions League.
Icardi at Napoli would bolster an attack that already features Belgium international Dries Mertens and Italy star Lorenzo Insigne.
Although it has been reported that Icardi is holding out for Juventus, a deal with Napoli remains very much a possibility after team contacted him earlier this week with a contract offer.
The 26-year-old Icardi, however, does come with baggage. His problems with Inter Milan this last season and a protracted move this summer highlight some of the difficulties that come with having the striker in the squad.
Icardi’s wife and agent Wanda Nara hasn’t helped the situation, using her TV appearances and social media to taunt other teams and players.
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Icardi needs for a deal to happen, otherwise he could be left out of the starting lineup for the next two years under coach Antonio Conte. Icardi’s contract expires in June 2021.
Serie A teams have until the end of the month to complete transfers. The Serie A season kicks off August 24.