Mauro Icardi has been linked with a summer move to both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, but he insists he wants to stay at Internazionale.
The 21-year-old is enjoying an impressive debut season with the Nerazzurri, who signed him from Sampdoria in a joint-ownership deal in July last year. Icardi, who scored 11 goals in 33 appearances for Il Blucerchiati last term, has registered eight goals and two assists in 19 Serie A outings for Walter Mazzarri’s side this time around.
During his progression as a youth team player, the Argentine began with Vecindario in Spain, and he even had two-and-a-half years at Barcelona before leaving for Italy. There have now been suggestions that he could return to his previous home in the summer, with both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid thought to be interested.
Real are always on the lookout for the best talent in the game, whilst their city rivals could be in the market for more firepower if, as expected, Diego Costa leaves the Vicente Calderon ahead of the 2014-15 campaign. However, Icardi insists he is happy with life at the San Siro, and he intends to progress his career with Inter for some time.
“I want to stay at Inter and continue to grow as I am doing this season,” the youngster is quoted as saying to Sky Italia earlier this week. “If Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid want to sign me, they have to talk with Internazionale. I only think about playing and I don’t look at what’s happening around me and what people are saying.”
Whether there is genuine interest from the Madrid clubs is unknown, with nether club likely to comment on the speculation. There is, of course, the possibility that the rumours have been fuelled by Icardi’s agent who, whilst revealing his expectation that his client will remain with his current club, admits he would be perfect for Spanish football.
“The Nerazzurri wanted him with all their might,” Ulisse Savini told Radio CRC before adding, “Mauro is perfect for Spanish football. “Atletico Madrid? He could go to Madrid, but I think he will stay with Internazionale. The rumours linking him with Atletico are along the right lines, but they are not concrete. I don’t think he will leave.”
