Napoli have accelerated plans for life post-Higuain by targeting AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca to replace the outgoing Argentine.
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Icardi has been linked with a move away from Inter ahead of the 2016-17 Serie A campaign, with Napoli reported to be leading the race for his signature and speculation was only intensified when the Argentine was not involved in Monday’s 3-1 friendly defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. “There are no negotiations”. Inter are keeping hold of Icardi, like we are keeping hold of other players.
Inter were taken over by Chinese investors in early June, although Mancini has reportedly grown frustrated at a lack of investment in his playing squad as he attempts to take the Milan club back to the top of Italian football.
“For sure there have been meetings with Napoli, but we’re not selling him (Icardi) to Napoli, and it’s not a question of money”, Ausilio told media prior to Inter’s flight to the United States for a pre-season tour.
Icardi has encountered difficulties in Milan over the past two years, but he has maintained a more than respectable goalscoring record and would arguably fit in perfectly at the San Paolo with a view of picking up from where Higuain left.
His wife and agent Wanda Nara has recently asked for Inter to show how much they value him by improving the terms of his contract, which expires in 2019, but Ausilio says this is not an issue that concerns him or the player. He has been with us for years and become captain of a team with a glorious past.
“We have always been attentive to his needs we have always renewed at the right time, so now is not the right time to renew his contract again. Today there are other priorities”.
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Ben Gladwell reports on Serie A, the Italian national team and the Bundesliga for ESPN FC, UEFA and the Press Association.
