Inter Milan

Wanda Nara, the wife and agent of Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi, has dismissed speculation linking the player with a move away from the club.

The 2018-19 season has been a turbulent one for the Argentina international, as he has been stripped of the captaincy and involved in a public dispute with the club regarding a new contract.

Unsurprisingly, speculation has started to intensify regarding Icardi's position at Inter ahead of the summer transfer window opening. However, according to Nara, the player is happy at the Milan club and isn't seeking to move anywhere.

"We will continue here," she said, per Canale 5 via ESPN (h/t Football Espana). "We will remain here next year. ... He is much more serene now."

Football Espana noted that Icardi has a release clause of €110 million (£95 million) in his Inter contract; both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been linked as possible suitors for the 26-year-old sharpshooter.

As football writer Arjun Pradeep relayed, there has also been some speculation linking Icardi with Juventus in a transfer that would see Paulo Dybala head to the San Siro:

🇮🇹 📰 |

Front pages of GdS, CdS & TS headline on Icardi's complicated situation at Inter. There's Real Madrid in his future. It'd take Dybala for Juve to unlock Icardi as Inter are targeting the former to combine him in a duo with Martínez. Juve also lead the race for Zaniolo. pic.twitter.com/tNIVnntECO

— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) March 19, 2019

Icardi used to be adored by the Inter faithful, having built up an affinity with the supporters based on his goalscoring instincts and clear passion for the team. However, recent events have undoubtedly soured the relationship between the player and the fanbase.

The striker has been drafted back into the team again recently following a recent spell on the sidelines. In his first game back, he was impressive in the 4-0 win against Fiorentina:

1+1 - Mauro #Icardi, that has found the net 109 days after his previous Serie A goal, has both scored and delivered and assist for the first time since September 2018 (v Fiorentina). Comeback?#GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/TnAFWFoLyr

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 3, 2019

However, he's failed to find the net in the three games since, and on Saturday, he began the Serie A showdown with Roma on the bench. Icardi was eventually drafted into the action in the second period of the 1-1 draw.

Following the game, the Inter ultras posted a press release in which they describe Icardi as a "little man" and accused him of failing to show "the minimum of professional correctness that any 'employee of a company' should demonstrate expressing respect for the shirt," per Calciomercato.

As beIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri observed, when he scored against Fiorentina, some Inter supporters decided not to celebrate the goal:

Icardi scores, but chiefs of Inter hard fans tell fans not to celebrate
(Inter ultras released a very harsh statement against him) pic.twitter.com/4stwXFWAA5

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) April 3, 2019

The situation is far from ideal for Icardi. While the striker is clearly strong-minded, the animosity he is facing from supporters is not conducive to him performing to a high standard on a consistent basis.

Should the striker get back among the goals, tensions between him and the fans will surely cool. However, given all that has gone on in recent weeks, Inter would be tempted to cash in and put the saga behind them if they received a big bid.

Luciano Spalletti has said he was the one who had to concede ground in the stand-off between Inter Milan and Mauro Icardi after the Argentinian scored in his return to the side against Genoa on Wednesday. 

Before Wednesday, when Inter thrashed Genoa 4-0 away from home, Icardi had not played since February 9:

Welcome back. pic.twitter.com/sUDIpXB3KY

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 3, 2019

In the interim he was stripped of the captaincy amid stalled contract negotiations and was heavily linked with a departure from the San Siro, most notably to Real Madrid. 

The striker's exile ended against Genoa as he played 80 minutes in Serie A, scoring Inter's second from the penalty spot.

Spalletti said afterwards that the situation had reached a point where someone had to give in, and he duly did, per Goal:

"Someone had to take a step back towards Inter. I had to be the first and I did it. I expected everyone to do the same. It was hard to have it happen, but with today's victory everything is OK. The team was very professional and smart. [Icardi] took a risk when it came to the goal because it wasn't easy to take a penalty for a player who's gone through all this recently. He showed personality. The team allowed him to take it and everything was fine."

Roberto Gagliardini scored either side of Icardi's 40th-minute penalty and Ivan Perisic's goal, which was assisted by the returning forward, to make for an easy night for Inter:

1+1 - Mauro #Icardi, that has found the net 109 days after his previous Serie A goal, has both scored and delivered and assist for the first time since September 2018 (v Fiorentina). Comeback?#GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/TnAFWFoLyr

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 3, 2019

They now sit comfortably in third, four points ahead of fourth-placed AC Milan.

Atalanta are in fifth, just outside the UEFA Champions League spots and eight points back from Inter.

That gap could be cut to five, though, if Atalanta win at home to Bologna on Thursday before they face the Nerazzurri in Milan on Sunday.

That clash is crucial for Inter in their bid to return to the Champions League for the second season running.

A victory over Atalanta would be a huge step towards securing a top-four finish, but a defeat would drag Inter back into a dogfight.

The return of Icardi could be crucial in the run in. Inter fared passably without him as they won three, lost two and drew once in Serie A.

However, he has been their top scorer for each of the last four campaigns and is arguably the club's most important player.

Per DAZN (h/t Sacha Pisani of Goal), Radja Nainggolan said after Icardi's return against Genoa that "we all need to row in the same direction towards the same objective."

That objective is securing Champions League football, and Icardi will help with that.

Mauro Icardi will start for Inter Milan in Wednesday's trip to Genoa in the Serie A after almost two months out of the squad, manager Luciano Spalletti has confirmed.

The Argentina striker's last Inter appearance came against Parma on February 9, but Spalletti addressed the media on Tuesday and said the midweek visit to Genoa would provide the stage for his return:

🎙️ | #Spalletti:

"@MauroIcardi is available. The work done by Marotta has been instrumental in ensuring that all parties can take part in a real discussion and not virtual. This now means that Icardi is in a position to help the team."#GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/WOPt364wLT

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) April 2, 2019

🎙️ | #Spalletti:

"Tomorrow, @MauroIcardi will start. He's shown the right reaction mentally, something which is more important than the physical side of things. We'll see how long he'll be able to remain on the pitch and if we'll need to take him off." #GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/JjoDmEEGNS

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) April 2, 2019

Spalletti's reference to a "real discussion" taking place and not a virtual one hint at previous comments from the manager that Icardi's differences with the club "aren't resolved via chat, video or 'likes.'" It's understood contract negotiations are at the root of the divide between the two parties.

The manager went on to say Icardi trained on Sunday and "took a bludgeoning from his team-mates," adding: "Mauro's able to drag the team forward when he's in it. From the outside, no. In these last few training sessions and without sending messages on social media, he's regained his place in the squad."

He also stressed the importance of the forward to the team, and his overall value as a player.

“If mediation is born to dictate conditions, it becomes more complicated," he said. "In the context of our team, Mauro’s worth more than Messi and Ronaldo put together."

The Guardian's Paolo Bandini wrote about Icardi's alleged rifts with team-mates Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic. Goal's Alif Chandra commented on the disruption being at least partly fuelled by the forward's wife and agent, Wanda Nara.

Spalletti concluded in Tuesday's press conference: "Now we all go to work for the good of Inter. The case is closed in all respects. Now he needs to train, sweat, smell the grass and not talk through other people."

Argentinian compatriot Lautaro Martinez had filled in for Icardi and netted two goals in his last three Serie A appearances, but he was injured for Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Lazio.

Keita Balde Diao was quiet during that loss, after which Spalletti gave the impression Icardi would still be out of contention.

However, it appears enough progress has been made off the field for Icardi to be welcomed back into the fold, with new chief executive Giuseppe Marotta seemingly playing a large role in restoring the player.

That could be the case, or Spalletti could have accelerated the process after seeing how limited his options have become, rather than be left with winger Keita as the best choice to lead his line.

Veteran goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has acted as Inter captain during Icardi's absence from the lineup. The striker's last league goal for his club was a 1-0 winner against Udinese on December 15.

Inter's most committed supporters also look to have taken a hard stance on the player following his absence from the team, per sports writer Siavoush Fallahi:

Curva Nord statement on Mauro Icardi: "We no longer consider Mauro Icardi an Inter player" pic.twitter.com/vYgK0VmI7R

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) April 2, 2019

"Curva Nord believes that Icardi has proved that he doesn't have the character needed, not only to be captain, but also to build a future with him as key to a united locker room. "

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) April 2, 2019

Icardi has won Inter's fans back after falling out with them in the past, though he might struggle to restore the same reputation at the San Siro after spending just short of two months on the sidelines.

The Nerazzurri are third in Serie A and two points ahead of fierce rivals AC Milan as they seek qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti and star striker Mauro Icardi's wife and agent Wanda Nara gave different versions of recent events in the press after Sunday's 1-0 loss to Lazio in Serie A. 

Spalletti opted not to call up Icardi after he returned to training this week, despite the absence of the injured Lautaro Martinez. Inter were predictably toothless in attack as a result, and the coach criticised the former Sampdoria man in his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia).

He explained why he kept him on the sidelines, saying it was down to his behaviour, before calling the fact he has employed a lawyer to mediate on his behalf "humiliating":

"I know what my job is. As things stand today, for the way he behaved, he has to stay out and the others have to play. It is clear for everyone to see what happened and how events unfolded.

[…]

"This mediation is humiliating for Inter fans and for those who love Inter. The need to mediate with someone just to get him to pull on the shirt that they love. It's humiliating.

"Negotiating with someone just to get him to pull on the Inter shirt. What, do I need to email 20 lawyers and ask them if I can call someone up?

"Icardi needs a game out. If he continues to behave the way he has done recently, then he can start to come back in. People say we lost games without Icardi. Inter didn't get into the Champions League for years with Icardi. Inter lost worse games than this with Icardi.

"Lionel Messi makes the difference, not Icardi, with all due respect. Professionalism and self respect are everything. Discipline is everything.

"I've left players out for far less in my time. You must have respect and behave in the locker room. The coach must be credible and recognised as someone who will do the right thing."

Nara responded to the criticism during an appearance on TV show Tiki Taka (h/t Goal's Jamie Smith):

"Mauro is ready, and it's all down to the coach's decision.

"If Mauro came back, would he make the same choices? It depends on what choices...I don't know. It depends on how you see the situation.

"Mauro has not yet spoken: he only expects to play and is preparing for this.

"His [Spalletti's] words are not a step back. Mauro is used to hearing so many things around him, but then focuses on what needs to be done to help Inter on the field."

Icardi hasn't featured for the club since February, when the club stripped him of the captaincy. As Football Italia explained, the 26-year-old claimed his absence was due to a knee injury, but it is widely believed he instead pulled out as a reaction to the captaincy issue.

Inter are in the middle of a tight battle for a UEFA Champions League spot and could have used their star hitman on Sunday. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic gave Lazio a lead in the first half, and that was enough to bag three crucial points:

The result moved Lazio just five points behind Inter and was a major disappointment for the fans, and the post-match comments from the coach only made things worse. Some supporters thought his outburst was just as bad as Icardi's continued absence:

There’s only so much one can take, from both Icardi and Spalletti. This is beyond embarrassing and ultimately both should be dealt with accordingly. The seasons most basic objective is under threat. This is unacceptable.

— Jimmy Watson (@CurvaNordSoul) April 1, 2019

Football writer Gabriele Marcotti also thought it was a bad look for the tactician:

What credibility? The club handled it and reached a solution. Then he drops him because he didn't apologise in a team meeting.
And he doesn't leave it there either. He reopens the whole thing after the match. Making it all about him. Like Icardi, he's an employee. Act like one.

— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) March 31, 2019

Inter have won just two of their last five Serie A matches, opening the door for AC Milan, Atalanta and Lazio to make a real push for third place in the standings. The Nerazzurri face a difficult stretch of fixtures to end the season, with the likes of Atalanta, Roma, Juventus and Napoli all still on the schedule.

The saga involving Inter Milan and Mauro Icardi has taken yet another turn, as manager Luciano Spalletti has left the striker out of his squad to face Lazio and explained his decision by saying "new things happened."

Per Football Italia, Icardi returned to training ahead of the Lazio game for the first time since February. While Inter stated his absence was because of a knee injury, it coincided with him being stripped of the captaincy, a decision the Nerrazzuri have yet to explain.

Icardi was expected to feature on Sunday against Lazio and was even in line to start after an injury to fellow forward Lautaro Martinez, but Spalletti has left him out of the squad:

"In some ways, it was like having a new player, because he hadn't been with us for such a long time.

"He trained with us and in some ways we need to get him back into our training regime behaviour. Considering what happened lately, including yesterday, I maintain he is not yet able to help his teammates in this game. That is why he will not be called up.

"I have to consider everything, from the previous period all the way up to yesterday. He trained with us all week, something new happened yesterday that I need to evaluate. Training sessions are fundamental. For the next few games, we'll see."

Speaking to ANSA (h/t Football Italia), Icardi's lawyer responded with surprise to the news, indicating Spalletti's decision is not because of the player's fitness:

"Since the day of Icardi's return to training, he has been at the full disposal of the squad, behaving professionally and following the steps worked out by me, CEO Beppe Marotta and President Steven Zhang in the interests of both Inter and the player.

"I was not informed as to the decision to leave Icardi out of the squad, so not knowing the reasons for it, I cannot comment on that.

"I spoke to Marotta daily, who always told me that everything was going positively."

Per the report, the lawyer was needed as an intermediary to negotiate Icardi's return to the squad.

The 26-year-old has been with Inter since 2013 but appears to be inching ever closer to a summer exit. Icardi―along with his wife and agent, Wanda Nara―and Inter fought out an ugly public battle following the decision to remove his captaincy.

According to ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell, Inter did not appreciate comments Nara made about the team in public. Nara frequently appears on Italian television as a pundit and hasn't shied away from criticising the club.

Inter added fuel to the saga by making a statement on their official website that said a scan found no damage to his knee, downplaying the injury that supposedly sidelined the forward.

Icardi's return to training this week seemed to be a step in the right direction, and the club made a big deal out of his return:

However, indications are the two parties are nowhere close to making up.

A happy ending seems as unlikely as ever, and Inter fans have noted his transfer value has plummeted as well:

Tracking Icardi’s value on the transfer market #Inter pic.twitter.com/a51KJ2P8M6

— Alex Donno (@AlexDonno) March 30, 2019

Lazio sit just eight points behind Inter in the standings, so Sunday's contest will be a crucial one in the race for the European places. With Martinez and Icardi both sidelined, the Nerrazzuri will be without their two best attackers, leaving former Lazio man Keita Balde Diao as the likely starter.

Spalletti confirmed Inter will also be without defender Stefan de Vrij, adding to the team's worries ahead of this important fixture.

Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti has said the constant talk around Mauro Icardi's future has been "too much" and must cease for the crucial run to the finish of 2018-19. 

Icardi has not played for Inter since February 9 amid ongoing contract talks and his being stripped of the captaincy:

—Stripped of club captaincy
—Left out of #UEL squad

Checking in on Mauro Icardi rn: pic.twitter.com/QVawB6fnpN

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 13, 2019

Rumours continue to circulate that the striker could leave the Nerazzurri in the summer amid links to Real Madrid, Juventus and Napoli.

He recently returned to training after an apparent injury. But when asked whether Icardi, 26, could line up against Lazio at the San Siro on Sunday, Zanetti said the Argentinian should not be the focus, per Sacha Pisani of Goal:

"I think we have talked about him too much. Now we must focus on the field because it is fundamental for the season finale. We have the goal of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, 10 games are left and on Sunday we meet a direct rival. The team is preparing for the match as best as possible with the coach."

Inter have blown hot and cold without their star striker, who has nine Serie A goals in 20 appearances this season.

However, they earned a crucial 3-2 win against AC Milan last time out to move above their city rivals into third in Serie A:

AC Milan 2-3 Inter FT:

Shots: 11-14
Pass accuracy: 89%-85%
Chances created: 8-12
Possession: 56%-44%

A five-goal thriller as Inter Milan take the bragging rights in the Derby della Madonnina. pic.twitter.com/j1KxFlhRhZ

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 17, 2019

Most importantly, they are six points ahead of Roma in fifth place, so they look well set to qualify for next season's Champions League.

It would be a big boost if Icardi could be reintegrated back into the side for the final games of the season, as Inter have a difficult run-in.

Including Sunday's meeting with Lazio, they face Genoa, Atalanta, Roma, Juventus and Napoli in their last 10 matches.

Inter have earned some good results without Icardi, but he is arguably their best attacking player and has finished each of the past four seasons as the club's top scorer.

Crucially, Icardi's team-mates seem set to welcome him back into the side.

Per Sport.sk (h/t Pisani), centre-back Milan Skriniar said of the forward's return to training: "You should ask Icardi what happened. Of course, us players have no problem with him, nor does he with us. It's up to him to put an end to this situation."

Real Madrid and Barcelona are both interested in signing Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, according to Mithat Halis from the agency that represents the Slovakia international.

Halis, a partner at the Star & Friends agency, offered an update on the centre-back's future to Ozgur Sancar at AS.

"Real Madrid want to sign him, so do Barcelona; whoever can convince Inter to let him go will sign him this summer. Skriniar is a model professional. If Real Madrid want him, they could get him but there are other agents who have a vested interest in taking players where they want.

"Mino Raiola, who represents Ibrahimovic and Pogba, might try to mislead Skriniar, but the player is on the books at our company - we have a contract with him. Inter paid Sampdoria 28 million euros for Skriniar and six months later, Manchester City came in with an offer of 55 million. Now he is valued at around 100 million. Any deal would certainly be complicated by the interference of intermediaries."

Skriniar has emerged as one of Europe's top defenders since joining Inter from Sampdoria in 2017 and has become a vital player for the Nerazzurri:

Milan Škriniar (23) in all competitions since joining Internazionale:

• 51 appearances
• 40 goals conceded
• 22 clean sheets

Internazionale's last 51 games in all competitions before signing Škriniar:

• 72 goals conceded
• 8 clean sheets

Influential. pic.twitter.com/xqQ7Ldvvl8

— SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) October 30, 2018

He's been rock-solid at the heart of the defence and is also composed in possession:

Milan Skriniar: Only Marlon Santos (93.5%) has a better pass success rate than Skriniar (93.1%) in Serie A this season (10+ starts)

For more player stats -- https://t.co/wqlGv4I22i pic.twitter.com/cL8N3CRk8p

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) January 17, 2019

The 24-year-old has three years left on his current deal but said in an interview with Tuttosport that he hopes to sign an extension at the San Siro (h/t Goal's Joe Wright).

"You all know I want to stay at Inter," he said. "I have a great relationship with the club and the directors. We're talking and we're close to an agreement."

Yet Skriniar has yet to sign a new deal, and Inter may face a tough decision if they were to receive a hefty offer for the defender in the summer transfer window.

Real Madrid could be in the market for a defender if they were to lose Raphael Varane.

The France international is considering his options at the club and could leave in search of a new challenge, according to L'Equipe:

Raphael Varane | L’Equipe say defender considering transfer, and Manchester United waiting in wings.https://t.co/4J4zxW968M #mufc #rmcf pic.twitter.com/sDSLmaIJFl

— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 19, 2019

Meanwhile, Barcelona continue to be heavily linked with a move for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt. 

According to Sport, the Catalan giants have offered €60 million (£52 million) for the Dutch centre-back, and he appears to be their top priority with regards strengthening their defence.

Inter Milan are reportedly considering offering Mauro Icardi for Juventus star Paulo Dybala in a swap deal and are also interested in Roma striker Edin Dzeko.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia, Calciomercato), Inter have "already initiated contact" with Dzeko as they are "well aware" that Icardi will move on this summer.

They are also said to be considering using Icardi as a makeweight for Dybala, whom Inter director Beppe Marotta is a big admirer of from his time with Juventus.

Juvefc.com relayed further information from Gazzetta journalist Nicolo Schira, while Football Italia's Richard Hall shared the story from the newspaper's front page:

The only club to have taken concrete steps for Mauro Icardi for next season is Juventus. Paratici ready to offer five years, €8m plus net bonuses per season to the Argentine, while Inter will be offered Dybala in exchange. [@NicoSchira]

— JuveFC (@juvefcdotcom) March 19, 2019

It feels like the Icardi saga will never end as the @Gazzetta_it talks once again of the potential swap with Paulo Dybala #Inter #Juventus pic.twitter.com/GHwnbgco8j

— Richard Hall (@RichHall80) March 19, 2019

Icardi has not featured for Inter since February 9. The Argentinian was stripped of the Nerazzurri captaincy amid criticism of the club and his team-mates from his wife and agent, Wanda Nara, on Italian television.

The 26-year-old has scored 122 goals in 210 appearances for Inter, but Eurosport's Siavoush Fallahi won't be sad to see him leave the club in light of recent circumstances:

“If you don’t love her when she loses don’t love her when she wins”. Mauro Icardi about Inter.

“If you don’t love her without a captains armband don’t do it with the captains armband”

Seeing this guy has no problem in leaving the team in the situation they are in with injuries

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) March 12, 2019

As the team's primary source of goals, he'll need replacing if he leaves.

Their interest in Dybala is understandable, as he scored 26 goals in all competitions last season. He has also slipped down the pecking order since Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival last summer, as he does not fit well in the system that gets the most out of the Portugal international.

In the Bianconeri's 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last week, Juve began the game 2-0 down from the first leg, but Dybala nevertheless started the match on the bench.

It's said Inter recognised Dzeko as being a more realistic target, though, and that he could be available for around €30 million.

The Bosnian has been a strong signing for Serie A rivals Roma, having scored 85 goals in 169 appearances. With that kind of record, he'd be capable of filling in admirably for Icardi, but he has just turned 33. 

Inter would be better served pursuing a younger target who can help the team long term—particularly if they're going to invest significant funds to replace Icardi.

Wanda Nara, the wife and agent of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, has said the player and club are "close to finding peace."

Icardi has not played for the San Siro side since he was stripped of the club captaincy in February, with contrasting reports emerging over the severity of a knee injury he has.

Given his absence and the fact a new contract has yet to be agreed, speculation has gathered pace over whether Icardi will be at the club beyond the summer.

However, Inter recently confirmed chief executive Giuseppe Marotta, Nara and Icardi held a "cordial meeting."

Speaking to Tiki Taka (h/t Football Italia) on Sunday, Nara said the issue is nearing a resolution:

"We're close to finding peace, we're almost there. Mauro is recovering from a knee injury and hasn't had a day off until [Sunday] because he wants to get back to his best. 

"I talked to Marotta and there are no problems between [Icardi] and his team-mates. He'll be back once he's fit. I've heard what the players have said to the press and none of them said anything [bad]. The problem with people is that they mix Wanda with Icardi, but we're not the same person."

She was also asked whether the player was set for a meeting with club officials on Friday. Nara said: "With me, no, but the club may very well meet him without me."

According to Gonzalo Castro of AS, Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Icardi's situation and have been quoted a fee of €80 million (£69 million) to sign the striker.

Inter were able to pick up a crucial win without Icardi on Sunday when they beat local rivals AC Milan 3-2 in the Derby della Madonnina. 

The man who has replaced Icardi in the starting lineup at Inter, Lautaro Martinez, was on the scoresheet for the Nerazzurri in the win, continuing his impressive form.

The young forward had a day to remember:

Lautaro Martínez (21) against AC Milan:

⚫ First Derby della Madonnina appearance
🔵 First Derby della Madonnina assist
⚫ First Derby della Madonnina goal

Game-winner. pic.twitter.com/1cO7xLiigr

— SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) March 17, 2019

Siavoush Fallahi of Eurosport praised the manner in which he's been able to adapt to Italian football so quickly:

You guys realize that Lautaro Martinez came from Argentina in June and is playing decisively in big games for Inter?

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) March 17, 2019

If Icardi does come back into the side soon, then it will be intriguing to see what manager Luciano Spalletti does with Martinez.

The potential is there for the Argentinian compatriots to form a fine partnership, with the bright all-round play of Martinez seemingly a fine complement to the razor-sharp goalscoring instincts of Icardi.

As things stand, it doesn't appear as if a return for Icardi is too far away. Should he find form and focus quickly, then the No. 9 can be a crucial player for the team as they seek to secure a top-four finish in Serie A this term.  

Wanda Nara, the wife and agent of Mauro Icardi, has said the player wants to stay at Inter Milan despite recent speculation regarding his future.

Icardi has not featured for the club since it was confirmed he had been stripped of the captaincy in February. Last week, following numerous cryptic Instagram posts from the player about his situation, Inter confirmed a "cordial meeting" had been held between Icardi, Nara and club chief executive Giuseppe Marotta.

Speaking to Tiki Taka (h/t Football Italia), Nara made it clear the striker wants to remain at the San Siro and said the player is currently sidelined due to injury, meaning he is a doubt for the showdown with local rivals AC Milan on Sunday:

"Mauro wants to stay at Inter. I'm working to make him feel good and make peace with the club. We also chose a lawyer who's an Inter fan!

"The derby? The knee problem isn't an invention. He's taking care of himself 24 hours a day. Health is his priority right now because maybe he doesn't feel important for the team.

"Absent at San Siro against SPAL? We stayed at home with our family watching the game. It wasn't because we were afraid of whistling. It was also something we agreed with the club. I talk to Marotta more than I do to Mauro right now to avoid any misunderstandings at a time like this."

While Icardi has been linked with a move away from Inter, Bleacher Report's Gianni Verschueren said any club should be hesitant about signing him:

https://twitter.com/ReverschPass/status/1095932113856221184

The reference to Icardi's knee problem comes after Inter said on their official website that the Argentina international did not have an issue following an examination by medical staff.

Speaking ahead of the game on Sunday, Inter manager Luciano Spalletti said despite the assessment of club doctors, Icardi said: "No, I still feel pain. I'll tell you when I feel ready to play," per Perform (h/t AS).

Nevertheless, there does appear to be an end in sight at last to the saga, with the club, Icardi and his agent in discussions. 

On his birthday last month, bet365 put into context just how important Icardi has been to the club in recent years:

He's scored more league goals for Inter Milan than Christian Vieri, Adriano and Samuel Eto'o.
He ended a six-year streak of Juventus players being named Serie A POTY.
He's one of the most naturally gifted finishers in the world.

Happy birthday, Mauro Icardi. pic.twitter.com/7TCs0Pke86

— bet365 (@bet365) February 19, 2019

Squawka Football broke down how prolific he has been in his 200 appearances for the Nerazzurri:

Happy 26th birthday to Mauro Icardi!

🔵 208 games
⚫️ 122 goals
🏆 2017/18 top scorer
🏆 2018 Serie A Player of the Year

Undeniable talent. pic.twitter.com/bHq4fHGtfm

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 19, 2019

Although the ongoing drama is an unwelcome distraction for Inter, if Icardi does get back in the team and agree a new contract, then it would be a major boost for the club. His current deal is set to expire in 2021.

While Sunday's derby is likely to come too soon for Icardi, having him involved in the final couple of months of the season would be key for Inter while they pursue a top-four finish and the UEFA Europa League title.