Some media reports suggest Inter Milan is on the verge of offering star forward Mauro Icardi a new contract.
One reason for the new deal is similar to Ivan Perisic … the release clause for Icardi — reported at around €110 million — is way too low for the Nerazzurri’s liking and could make it easy for another club to make a run at the Argentinian during the winter transfer window.
Icardi signed a deal last year that pays him nearly £80,000 per week until 2021.
But, judging by the recent spending sprees from Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona and even rivals AC Milan, Inter management may be justified in their belief that the release clause is too low.
It certainly isn’t outside the realm of possibility that, given Icardi’s current pace of scoring this season, he could be a prime target for a larger club willing to pony up the funds to pay the club and him.
In his 128 league appearances for Inter, Icardi has scored 76 times — including five goals in the first three games of this season.
Reports suggest Inter will seek to raise the release clause to around €200 million and give a pay bump of about €4.5 million per season. Premium Sport said the club is ready to make that offer to Icardi’s agent, his wife Wanda.
But, not all things are rosy with Interisti and Icardi.
Football Italia reported the Curva Nord have told their members not to chant for Icardi at the San Siro.
“No chants for Icardi,” the Curva Nord advised in their fanzine. “As with any other player, they don’t deserve anything. When Icardi or anyone else scores, chant for Inter. We exalt this shirt, not these mediocre men [and that’s being generous]. When the speaker announces the formation, avoid shouting the name of that infamous Argentine.”
The relations soured when Icardi’s book was recently published where he was “critical of the ultras,” according to Football Italia.
So, what does Icardi do … he hits back by posting a video to his Instagram account of fans at the San Siro doing exactly what Curva Nord said not to … chant his name.
No matter. This would be a good time to lock Icardi down with a larger release clause and a pay hike so as to send a message to any would-be bidders that, like Perisic, he won’t be for sale.