Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to pay £96million to seal the transfer of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, who has also been recently linked with Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Spanish giants could do with a big-name signing up front after losing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, while 31-year-old Karim Benzema will surely soon need replacing despite a recent hot-streak.
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According to Don Balon, this is set to see Real target Icardi with a big bid of around £96m, in what could be a big blow to Man Utd and Chelsea in their bid for new attacking players.
The Daily Mirror recently linked Chelsea with Icardi, and while the Blues have solved their issues up front for the moment by bringing in Gonzalo Higuain, the Argentine is only at Stamford Bridge on loan.
Another Don Balon report also claimed United were interested in Icardi, who could well be an upgrade on Romelu Lukaku after his recent slump in form, while another Don Balon report suggested the player’s agent was trying to get the Belgian a move away from Old Trafford.
It will be hard, however, for these clubs to compete with the financial power of Real Madrid as they seem prepared to go all out for Icardi.
It’s also questionable if the Premier League pair would be wise to gamble such money on the 25-year-old after his recent dip in performances, as he’s scored just two goals in his last nine games in all competitions.