Blow for Chelsea as Mauro Icardi set to be offered new deal to stay at Inter Milan
The Argentine forward had been linked with a move away from the San Siro with the Blues one club interested
MAURO ICARDI is set to be offered a new deal by Inter Milan, according to reports.
The Argentine striker, 26, has endured a turbulent time at the San Siro club in recent weeks which has seen him frozen out by manager Luciano Spalletti.
But according to , Inter are willing to offer their talisman £5.6million per year for another four seasons to stay — making him one of the top earners in Serie A.
And the news will come as a big blow to Chelsea, who have been interested in the striker and made contact over a move.
With Gonzalo Higuain on loan until the end of the season, many believed the Blues would go in for Icardi this summer.
Chelsea of course are facing a two-window transfer ban but are set to appeal the decision so they can splash the cash this summer and prepare themselves.
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Icardi was thought to be on his way out of Inter this summer after a nightmare February.
He last played on February 9 but four days later was stripped of the club captaincy and replaced by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.
Since then, the star has reportedly eaten alone in the club canteen and demanded an apology from his club over the handling of the captaincy situation.
Icardi did not travel to Austria for the Europa League win over Rapid Vienna on February 14 and was absent for the second leg as well.
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Speaking of Valentine's Day, there have also been suggestions of problems with wife Wanda.
She posted a video on Instagram burning photos of the couple, hinting at a rift between the pair, who got married in 2014.
Wanda also had her car window smashed by a rock while travelling near the San Siro with her children, it is understood.
The wife-turned-agent last month said she was waiting for Inter to offer a new deal but the Italian giants have refused to bow to the £170,000-per-week demands made by Icardi.
Reports in Italy last week suggested a swap deal with Paulo Dybala at Juventus could be on the cards but it appears Inter are desperate to keep hold of their main man.
However, after everything that has happened, whether Icardi wants to sign on the dotted line remains a different matter altogether.