Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal have both been desperate to sign a top striker this summer. Mauro Icardi, one of the big names linked with both clubs, has now stated that he is not leaving his current club anytime soon.
Arsenal have been in search of a top quality striker this summer, but have met with rejection from the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Jamie Vardy. They had turned their attention to Inter captain Mauro Icardi a few weeks ago, reportedly inviting his agent and wife Wanda Nara to London to discuss a possible transfer.
Chelsea were also rumored to be interested in the Argentine striker, and it looked like the Gunners would have to battle their London rivals. New manager Antonio Conte is on the lookout for a new striker, and the Blues reportedly contacted Icardi’s agents as their pursuit of primary target Everton striker Romelu Lukaku failed to progress.
However both Premier League clubs have been dealt a severe blow in their pursuit, with the 23-year-old Argentine recently confirming his intentions to stay at Inter Milan with an Instagram post.
A photo posted by Mauro Icardi (@mauroicardi) on
The translated caption reads, ‘Beginning a new year with new objectives, but always the same feeling for this shirt for three years and hopefully many years to come.’
The Insta post comes after rumors had begun gaining ground that Icardi was ready to sign a new contract with Inter. The Argentine forward is set to sign a deal that will keep him at Inter till 2021, and increase his annual salary by at least €1 million, according to Football Italia. The new contract will also reportedly include a release clause between €80 to €100 million.
Icardi joined the Nerazzurri from Serie A rivals Sampdoria in 2013 and has since gone on to score 52 goals in 102 appearances in all competitions for the club. The La Masia product is only 23 years old and has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world in the coming years.
Inter have repeatedly insisted that Icardi is not for sale, after having made him the club captain in the beginning of the 2015-16 season. Both Arsenal and Chelsea will now have to turn their attention elsewhere to fulfill their attacking needs.