OPINION
It’s not very often that a player of Mauro Icardi’s talent becomes available.
The Argentine forward is one of the most lethal finishers in Italy and has been a fine servant for Inter Milan since joining the club back in 2013, but things have soured between the Serie A giants and their star man.
Sky Sports Italy reporter Gianluca Di Marzio took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon to report that Inter had stripped the 25-year-old of the club captaincy and handed it to goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.
This follows an ongoing wrangle over the striker renewing his deal at the San Siro, as reported by Goal.
#Inter, tolta la fascia ad #Icardi #Handanovic nuovo capitano ?https://t.co/eqQHrujPjd
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 13, 2019
It’s clear that things are far from rosy between Icardi and his current employers, and this latest move, taking away his armband, could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
It would not be a great surprise if the Argentine international were to leave Italy this summer, and Tottenham must make sure that they are in the hunt for his signature.
Undoubtedly there would be competition for his services, and that ruck could involve some of the biggest clubs in the continent, but if Spurs are to be taken seriously as Premier League and European contenders then they have to start making signings of this calibre.
Harry Kane’s injury has highlighted just how desperately they need a striker, and while Icardi would not be happy playing second fiddle, there would surely be a way that Mauricio Pochettino could accommodate two world class talents in his forward line.
Yes, it would be a long shot, and yes, it would require the kind of fee that Daniel Levy might be hesitant to pay, but for a player as good as Icardi, it’s definitely worth having a crack.