THE summer window is still months away from opening, but an end of season transfer saga is already in motion following the events of last week at Inter Milan. In the space of a few days, top scorer and main man Mauro Icardi has been stripped of the captaincy and left out of the squad for back-to-back games. Now, his future at San Siro is being questioned.
Icardi finds himself in a sticky situation that, in one way or another, involves his wife (also his agent) and Luciano Spalletti. The longer the strife lasts, the more likely it is that he will leave Inter at the end of the season. So where could he go? There would be no shortage of suitors, but where would suit the Argentinian best?
Bayern Munich
Many expect a revolution to take place at the Allianz Arena this summer. It has already been announced that Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, while others like Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski could also depart as Bayern Munich comes to the end of an era.
If Lewandowski and Muller leave, the Bavarians will need a new centre forward to lead the line. The signing of Icardi would fit the bill and make a statement of intent about where Bayern Munich are heading. However, the German champions can’t always operate at the top end of the transfer market and could be priced out of a move.
Chelsea
Chelsea need a striker. Gonzalo Higuain only just arrived on loan until the end of the season last month, but even if he remains at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer there are questions over the former AC Milan and Real Madrid forward. Higuain is entering the twilight of his career and is probably not the man to lead the Chelsea line in the long term.
Icardi would be the perfect fit for the Blues. The 25-year-old is known for scoring at clutch moments, for taking his chances when they come his way. That is in stark contrast to the way Higuain, and Alvaro Morata before him, operate. However, just like Bayern Munich, Chelsea could find themselves priced out of a move for Icardi.
Juventus
The Bianconeri are not short of attacking talent. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that they have the most stacked frontline in European football right now, particularly after the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo last summer. However, when a world class player becomes available in Serie A, Juventus are always likely to be linked.
Max Allegri has been coy on the rumours linking Icardi with a move to Turin, suggesting there may be something to the speculation. Of course, Icardi’s signing would push Ronaldo out to the wing. Juventus are built around the Portuguese forward and what he says goes. If he wants to play up front, centrally, then there will be no place for Icardi, or any other big money striker.
Manchester United
If there’s a world class attacking player on the market, Manchester United will be linked. That has been the way of the gossip column in recent years and indeed, with Icardi’s Inter Milan future now in question Old Trafford has been raised as a potential destination.
However, with Marcus Rashford now holding down the centre forward spot in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, Man Utd’s need for a player of Icardi’s mould isn’t as strong as it was just a few weeks ago. United have cash to burn, but they need defensive reinforcements more than they need a new centre forward this summer.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s interest in Icardi is long-standing. The Argentinean striker has long been billed as a future ‘Galactico,’ with many expecting the Spanish giants to move for the 25-year-old following the exit of Ronaldo last summer. A transfer never materialised, though, as Real maintained their faith in Karim Benzema.
Benzema has found a rich vein of form recently, but something is still lacking at the Santiago Bernabeu. The notoriously tough to please Madridistas demand a big name signing this summer. Eden Hazard, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have all been mentioned as potential targets, but Icardi would also satisfy the clamour.
