Barcelona are reportedly interested in re-signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Mauro Icardi on a loan deal in the January transfer window.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Mauro Icardi has emerged as a target for Barcelona heading into the January transfer window. The PSG striker is being considered for an initial loan move with the option to sign him permanently next summer for €30 million.
Mauro Icardi spent some of his formative years at Barcelona’s famed academy La Masia before making his way to Italy in 2011. The Argentine forward was a resounding success in Serie A, first making a splash at Sampdoria before enjoying a productive spell with Inter Milan for over half a decade.
The player’s time at San Siro came to an acrimonious end, though, before he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. After a season on loan at Parc des Princes, the 28-year-old completed a permanent move to PSG, where he has made 79 appearances, amassing 36 goals and ten assists in the process.
However, Icardi’s time at PSG appears to be drawing to a close heading into the January transfer window after being deemed surplus to requirements by the club. Such a situation has alerted former club Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona is understandable, as Sergio Aguero is sidelined due to a heart condition that requires specific treatment. In addition, Martin Braithwaite is a backup option at best, while Luuk de Jong has failed to impress since arriving on loan from Sevilla this past summer.
So, it behoves Barcelona to sign a striker in the January transfer window, with several names popping up on their radar in recent weeks. However, the Catalan giants have received bad news in pursuit of some of their targets, including Sebastien Haller and Karim Adeyemi. As a result, Icardi has now emerged as a new target for the Blaugrana.
The La Liga heavyweights are eyeing a loan move for the 28-year-old heading into the January transfer window. However, PSG will be demanding €50 million to part with the Argentine striker this winter, which could be unrealistic.
On the other hand, Barcelona will be willing to offer a loan-to-buy deal, which will include a €30 million purchase offer for next summer. Meanwhile, Icardi has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in addition to Barcelona, and it remains to be seen if the Premier League duo can make an acceptable offer for PSG.
