Gab Marcotti explains the latest on Mauro Icardi's strained relationship with Inter, and dives into why some clubs might be hesitant to bring on the 25-year-old striker.
With Mauro Icardi watching from the stands, Inter got the better of Sampdoria in a wild match that saw three goals scored in five minutes.
ESPN FC's Julien Laurens shares the latest on Mauro Icardi's ongoing feud with Inter, which could see the Argentinian star depart the club.
Inter Milan general manager Beppe Marotta has branded Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici "out of order" for suggesting they could make a move for Mauro Icardi next summer.
Speaking to RAI Radio, Paratici said the Bianconeri had made enquiries about Icardi before signing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, and he added that "questions about Icardi may be on the agenda again, or not, next summer."
Serie A
Watch on ESPN networks in the U.S.
ESPN has reached an exclusive, multi-year rights agreement in the United States for Italy's Serie A TIM, one of the world's top soccer leagues. The agreement will bring more than 340 matches per season to ESPN+ | Schedule
Why Italian football finds its way into your blood
Roma beat Lazio, but the derby doesn't end, it merely pauses. Because like the city that birthed both clubs, it is eternal, reports Wright Thompson.
LISTEN: The Serie Awesome Podcast
Get the latest edition of The Serie Awesome Podcast, as the likes of Gab Marcotti, Mina Rzouki and Paolo Bandini discuss what is happening in Serie A.
Marotta did not take kindly to his former colleague's remarks in what is a delicate moment for Icardi's future, after he was stripped of the captaincy last week.
"Then what I say is: 'Let's see what happens with Dybala in June,'" Marotta responded to Sky Sport Italia. "I am just going to put that out there because, as I always say, football is a bit of a circus, but Paratici's words are out of order.
"Icardi is our player and he is not on the market."
There are huge question marks over Icardi's future. After losing the captaincy, he allegedly refused to travel with the squad for the Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna before watching Sunday's 2-1 victory over Sampdoria from the stands.
However, Inter president Steven Zhang has said Juve would not stand a chance of signing Icardi even if he were available.
"Mauro will never go to Juventus," he told Sky Sport Italia. "We believe that he will continue to develop with us and we consider him part of the family.
"I also want to say that Icardi has always been a model professional and he is an extremely important member of our family. We will always help him to grow in the right way and we can guarantee him the support of the group.
Mauro Icardi and wife Wanda Nara watch Inter Milan's 2-1 victory over Sampdoria from the stands.
"We are all very positive and I don't think there will be any hard feelings. This issue will be dealt with once and for all for everybody this week and I cannot see any future developments. We're quite confident. As I've said, Icardi is very professional as a person and a footballer. He's a good lad."
Talks over extending Icardi's contract are now set to resume, with the dust settling on recent events.
"We will definitely discuss his renewal very soon because he is an important player for Inter," Zhang said. "We will send him an offer and then enter into negotiations on his new contract, which is not related in any way to what has happened."
Source: espn.co.uk