CHELSEA have reportedly been dealt a huge transfer blow in their pursuit of Mauro Icardi.
Tuttosport claims the Inter Milan star is instead being pushed towards Juventus by wife and agent Wanda Nara.
AP:Associated Press
Icardi looks set to quit the San Siro after a tumultuous couple of months which began with him demanding a new and improved contract.
Nara touted her husband to other sides as she tried to get Inter to sign over a huge pay rise.
But Nerrazzuri chiefs did not take the bait and instead stripped Icardi of the captaincy.
This enraged the Argentine and his wife, with Icardi then effectively going on strike by claiming to have a knee injury.
The situation saw boss Luciano Spalletti eventually lash out at Icardi, claiming the hitman had “humiliated” Inter with his behaviour.
The 26-year-old returned to the side earlier this month, but there will be no full reprieve this summer.
Inter will instead offload Icardi, with Chelsea believed to be interest despite being under the yoke of a transfer ban.
Former Blues boss Antonio Conte is believed to be in line to take charge at Inter, and he has no intention of keeping a troublesome player like Icardi around.
However, it won’t be Chelsea landing the ace, with Juventus now said to be in pole position as Icardi looks to inflict maximum damage on his current club.
Meanwhile, Inter could be tempted to move for a replacement in Chelsea flop Gonzalo Higuain, who has been offered out by parent club Juventus.
