Paris Saint-Germain have set a price tag of £ 35 million for the lost striker Mauro Icardi, with Juventus as favorites to get their signature.
Icardi has had a mixed time of it in France after his melodramatic downfall with Inter two years ago. He was productive on loan last season and made 20 appearances in 34 appearances, but things have gone pear-shaped since the deal was made permanent in July.
The Argentine took a while to get up to speed after missing the start of the season due to Covid and he has struggled to get up to speed ever since.
Mauro Icardi hangs out with all his dogs pic.twitter.com/nGk0ddSKKs
– Football player with animals (@ftbllrswanimals) April 4, 2021
Two rather serious injuries limited him to just five Ligue 1 appearances before the turn of the year and he was recently ruled out of both legs in their Champions League match with Bayern Munich due to a separate thigh problem.
His lack of progress seems to have left all frustrated, and reports in France, which were first passed on in the UK by The Mail, suggest that his representatives are pushing for relocation.
This comes just one year after PSG paid € 50 million (£ 43 million) to sign him permanently, but there does not seem to be too much opposition from Paris, who are believed to be open to selling him at a reasonable price.
While L’Equipe says that PSG want to get back the full fee they paid to Inter, the Italian outlet Calcio Mercato claims that they would be content with the slightly lower price of 40 million euros.
Today’s winner ?? pic.twitter.com/TWwysLujO1
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 9, 2021
The two reports seem to agree that Juventus looks like his most likely landing place. In Italy it is claimed that he “likes” the idea of joining the Turin giants, while the feeling in France is that Juve are keen on a deal, but can wait to see if they can negotiate a lower price.
If Juventus do not come, AC Milan will be questioned as another alternative, while Mail has pushed the idea of Premier League interest, but it is not clear how much reason this has.
Manchester City are looking to replace Sergio Aguero, while it is widely believed that Chelsea want to strengthen their striking options. Whether any club would take a risk for Icardi, however, remains to be seen – now 28, he comes with a history of attitude problems, while his fitness record this season leaves much to be desired.
There is also the small question of his huge salary. L’Equipe says he brings in € 10 million a year, giving him around £ 180,000 a week. No small investment by anyone’s standard.
