90min

Paris Saint-Germain Eager to Sign Mauro Icardi on Permanent Deal From Inter - But Not for Agreed Release Clause

By Nischal Schwager-Patel

Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi in action.
Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi in action. / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit


Paris Saint-Germain are keen on permanently signing striker Mauro Icardi, though hope they can negotiate a lower transfer fee.

The French champions hope they can keep Icardi, who is currently on loan from Inter, past his contract expiry date this summer. With the Argentine enjoying a successful season in Paris after arriving last September, he could soon be extending his stay in the French capital.

Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi.
Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi. / Xavier Laine/Getty Images

As reported by L’Equipe, PSG are in agreement with Icardi to sign him permanently, with the 27-year-old also wanting to stay at the club. Despite having a release clause of €70m, the Parisians will try and sign Icardi for a much lower fee, having already agreed provisional contract terms.

They add that Inter are aware that PSG want to negotiate a lower deal, and are open to discussions over agreeing a revised fee, potentially in the region of €30m and €50m.

Icardi joined PSG on loan in September 2019, hitting the ground running with four goals in his first four Ligue 1 appearances. The Argentine forward ended the season with an impressive 20 goals in 31 games, finishing as the club’s second top scorer behind Kylian Mbappé.

Paris Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappé and Mauro Icardi.
Paris Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappé and Mauro Icardi. / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

PSG’s concerns over paying the set release clause are due to the coronavirus pandemic, with widespread inflation in the transfer market very likely. The global financial market will almost certainly be further impacted, which itself will affect football transfers in the near future.

While these are unprecedented times for football, and the world, it is remarkable to see PSG conscious about spending money. Les Parisiens are notable big spenders in football, buying Neymar from Barcelona in 2017 for a world record €222m, as well as Mbappé from Monaco for €135m the following year.

Mauro Icardi playing for parent club Inter.
Mauro Icardi playing for parent club Inter. / Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

Icardi signed for Inter back in 2013 from Sampdoria, netting 124 goals in 219 appearances. However, it looks like the 27-year-old will be bringing an end to his seven-year stint in Milan, with manager Antonio Conte not interested in bringing him back into the first team.

PSG were 12 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 before the league was suspended, with 11 games still to play. Thomas Tuchel’s side were crowned champions on 30 April following the season’s cancellation, sealing their ninth French league title in unprecedented circumstances.

For more from Nischal Schwager-Patel, follow him on Twitter here!