Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports, are the latest club to have added Mauro Icardi to their list of potential new recruits in the New Year.
In the hope of securing a UEFA Champions League place this season, the White Hart Lane club dismissed Tim Sherwood and appointed Mauricio Pochettino has head coach during the summer. The Argentine arrived in the capital on the back of a successful 16-month spell at Southampton, whom he led to an unexpected eighth-place Premier League finish last term.
However, the 42-year-old has found his opening weeks at Tottenham more of a challenge than perhaps he anticipated. Although he looks certain to lead them into the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League – a competition in which the winners will qualify for the Champions League – he has struggled in the domestic league, where they currently sit tenth in the standings.
Daniel Levy is understood to be hugely reluctant to make yet another change in the dugout, and will instead continue to support Pochettino, including in the transfer market. And according to The Express, the Spurs coach has been impressed with his compatriot Icardi, who has been in sensational form for Internazionale with seven goals in 12 league appearances thus far.
The 21-year-old cost £10million when he joined from Sampdoria in 2012, and he remains under contract at the San Siro until the summer of 2018. His form has earned him interest from several clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, and whilst the Nerazzurri would hate to lose him, reports in Italy claim they are willing to do business if an offer of £28million is received.
It remains to be seen if Pochettino is allowed to follow up his interest at such a price, especially as the last Argentine Spurs recruited from Serie A has yet to prove value for money. Erik Lamela was one of several signings following the departure of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, and he was signed for a club record £30mllion deal but, as of yet, the forward has shown only glimpses of his talent.
If Pochettino decides Icardi is the man to set his Spurs side on fire, would Levy be prepared to stump up £28million to land the striker? Let us know what you think below.
