Inter striker open to leaving San Siro this summer
West Ham United will attempt to sign Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi this summer, as they prepare for life at the Olympic Stadium.
The club’s owners are keen to bring in a marquee signing, after tying star man Dimitri Payet down to a new deal earlier in the season, as they prepare to leave their Boleyn Ground home of 112 years.
Marseille striker Michy Bastshuayi is also understood to be on the Hammer’s radar, although the French outfit owe the player’s former club, Standard Liege, a large chunk of any future transfer fee – forcing the price up and putting West Ham off, for now at least.
And with that in mind, the club have turned their attention, firmly, to Icardi, with sources close to the player suggesting that the Argentina international would consider leaving Inter.
Icardi finished last season as Serie A’s top goalscorer, and the 23-year-old has 15 so far this campaign, which has also grabbed the attention of the Hammer’s London rivals, Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger is in desperate need of bolstering his options up front, having also been linked with Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, but West Ham currently hold the advantage for Icardi.
The Hammers are willing to meet the striker’s buy-out clause of €35 million and match the player’s wage demands, while Arsenal are yet to make their intentions known about what deal they would lay down to bring Icardi to the Emirates.
West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini has reportedly spoken to his fellow countryman about life at West Ham, with owners David Gold and David Sullivan ready to spend big to bring the Inter man to the club.
