Tottenham Hotspur wanted to sign Mauro Icardi, according to his wife and agent Wanda Nara.
Wanda Nara and Mauro Icardi
Wanda Nara, the wife and agent of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, has been quoted by Calcio Mercato as saying that Tottenham made an offer for the Argentinian over the summer.
Icardi, 23, had been on the books at Barcelona before moving on to Sampdoria in 2011, and his 11 goals in 33 games for the Serie A side earned him a big move to Italian rivals Inter Milan in 2013.
Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi celebrates after scoring a goal against Frosinone
Since that move to the San Siro, Icardi has become one of the top strikers in Europe; nine goals in his first season was a decent return, but 43 goals in the last two seasons showed just what Icardi can do in front of goal.
With six goals in seven games already this term, Icardi has again proven what a phenomenal goalscorer he is, and he committed his future to Inter on Friday by signing a new contract until 2021.
However, Icardi’s wife and agent Wanda Nara has now discussed just how the striker could have been playing elsewhere this season having received plenty of interest over the summer.
Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi
As quoted by Calcio Mercato, Nara claims that Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio asked her to inform him of offers for Icardi, and she claims that PSG, Napoli and Juventus were all keen, but Tottenham went directly to Ausilio with a move for the player.
Nara added that Icardi turned down more money elsewhere to stay at the San Siro, and revealed that Juventus were desperate to sign Icardi, just moments before completing a deal for Gonzalo Higuain.
“Given that Ausilio had asked me to bring the offers, I went to him with those of PSG, Napoli and Juventus,” Nara revealed. “And there was also Tottenham, but they spoke directly with Piero.”
Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi
“Nobody knows how much money Mauro gave up to stay at Inter, as well as do not know that last year there was interest from Real Madrid, and Juventus tried to sign him up to two minutes before they concluded with Higuain,” she added.
Tottenham’s Argentinian boss Mauricio Pochettino will be well aware of what Icardi can do, but Spurs ended up going for Dutch international Vincent Janssen as a backup to Harry Kane, in a deal which will have been some way short of what Inter would’ve demanded for star striker Icardi.
Now, with his contract at Inter extended, Icardi’s future is settled – and time will tell whether Spurs should have pushed the boat out to sign Icardi over the summer.
Would you have liked to see Tottenham sign Icardi?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
