Chelsea & Liverpool Handed Boost As €40m Target Confirms He’s Willing To Leave

The January transfer window is now closed but that won’t stop the newspapers from speculating ahead of the summer so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Chelsea and Liverpool are handed a boost in their pursuit of Mauro Icardi…

Chelsea and Liverpool have been handed a boost in their pursuit of €40m-rated striker Mauro Icardi after he confirmed he’s willing to leave Inter Milan if they want to sell him this summer, according to reports.

Icardi joined Inter from Sampdoria in 2013 and has been enjoying a fine season in Serie A this term that’s seen him score 20 goals and provide five assists in his 39 appearances in all competitions.

That impressive form has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs with reports suggesting that Chelsea and Liverpool and among those who are keen on luring him to the Premier League this summer.

Inter have been trying to tie him down to a new deal as the 22-year-old is still on the £11,000-a-week contract he was given when he initially joined the club two years ago but so far they have failed to offer him the £43,000-a-week he’s understood to be demanding.

The contract stand-off has cast doubt over his future at the San Siro and the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool have now been boosted as Icardi has admitted he’s willing to leave Inter if the club make it clear they are prepared to sell him this summer.

“If there are other clubs who want me, they should discuss this with Inter. If Inter decide to sell me, I’ll pack up and go away.

“If they don’t want to, I will stay in Milan where I am really good and I’m happy. My family here feels like home.

“Regarding my pay, my salary, that I don’t ‘earn a lot’, these are things that are a result of two years ago when I came to Inter.” Icardi is quoted as saying by the Mirror

Much will depend on how contract talks progress over the coming weeks as I’m sure the player isn’t content being on just £11,000-a-week while Inter may be forced to cash in if an extension isn’t agreed by the end of the season.

The Argentina international has always maintained he’s settled in Italy but he did admit back in February that he was honoured to be linked with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool and says he wants to be playing in the Champions League.

“I’m not interested in rumours, what counts is winning with Inter.”

“But if the ones are real about United, Chelsea and Liverpool then I’d be honoured, because they are big clubs, but I’m already in a great team where I can win something important.”

“I would certainly like to play in the Champions League, it’s what every player wants and it would give me a boost towards wearing the shirt of Argentina.” Icardi is quoted as saying by the Express.

Inter currently sit way down in ninth position in the Serie A table and a full 15 points off the Champions League qualification places so they have virtually no chance of playing in the competition next season.

While Icardi claims to be happy at Inter, he also clearly wants to be earning good money and playing at the highest level, so I personally think he’d be open to a move to the likes of Chelsea or Liverpool should they come calling this summer.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

Chelsea are in need of striking reinforcements as Didier Drogba is set to leave the club at the end of the season while Liverpool need a reliable goal-scorer to compete with Daniel Sturridge and cover for the England hitman when he’s injured.

Icardi would be an excellent signing for either club but they may have to dig deep if they want to land him this summer as reports suggest it would take an offer in the region of €40m (£30m) to persuade Inter to sell.