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Mauro Icardi makes decision on Arsenal offer after Unai Emery targets Inter Milan outcast
MAURO ICARDI has rejected Arsenal’s offer despite Inter Milan’s wish to offload him.
Wanda Nara hits the gym with husband Mauro Icardi
According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Icardi isn’t included in Inter’s plans for the upcoming season but the prominent striker’s refusal to join the Gunners shows that it won’t be easy to end his his contract.
Unai Emery is looking to further strengthen his attack after the club record £72million signing of Nicolas Pepe from Lille and is reportedly keeping tabs on the Argentina international who has been shown the door at the San Siro.
Icardi has had a tumultuous last 12 months that saw him fall out with the Serie A giants due to a ruckus involving his wife and agent Wanda Nara.
Nara criticised Icardi’s team-mates on an Italian TV talk show claiming they don’t create enough chances for her husband to score.
The 26-year-old was stripped of the captaincy as a result of his outspoken partner’s statement.
The fans don’t seem to be pleased with the situation as the striker and his wife were jeered by a number of ultra fans during a game against Sampdoria which they watched from the stands.
Talks of a divided dressing room as a result of this saga were fuelled when Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic liked the club’s tweet announcing that Samir Handanovic had been given the captain’s armband.
The situation got so unpleasant that even former Nerazurri manager Luciano Spalletti also claimed that he has never experienced such a toxic situation in a team before.
Icardi was reportedly urged by Inter as well as members of his family to drop Nara as his agent but he seems to prefer to stick with her.
A sale seems inevitable and Arsenal are reportedly keeping an eye on developments.
The north London club has completed four signings so far this summer despite their limited budget, which is reportedly no more than £45m.
Besides Pepe, the Gunners have also signed William Saliba from St Etienne for £27m, Real Madrid ace Dani Ceballos on loan and Gabriel Martinelli.
But Emery seems keen to make some more additions before August 8 when the summer transfer window slams shut.
Arsenal’s first Premier League match of the new season takes place on August 11 against Newcastle at St James’ Park.