Last summer, Inter Milan loaned Mauro Icardi on the last day of the transfer window in a deal that included a €65 million option to buy.
Through the first few months of the season, that figure seemed like a bargain as Icardi scored nine Ligue 1 goals and five UEFA Champions League goals before the winter break.
Unfortunately, the 27-year-old has cooled off some. Since the start of 2020, Icardi only has three Ligue 1 goals and he didn’t even play in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tie between PSG and Borussia Dortmund.
Despite the dip in form, Icardi at €65 million is still a bargain and even if PSG didn’t want to keep him to replace Edinson Cavani, whose contract is up this June, the club could sign him with the intent of flipping him this summer for a profit.
There are several teams who would be interested in Icardi’s services with Juventus FC being the prime suspect. However, according to Tuttosport (via Calciomercato.com), Inter Milan inserted a clause that would make a deal between PSG and Italian club substantially more expensive.
Reports out of Italy indicate that if PSG signs Icardi permanently for €65 million but only to move him on to a Serie A side soon after, the fee that they will be required to pay will increase by €15 million, making the total purchase price for PSG around €80 million.
PSG is not in the business of losing money on transfers so if Juventus wants Icardi, they would be required to pay well over that inflated figure. Given the Turin club’s propensity for free transfers and frugal business dealings, it’s difficult to imagine they would sign a player with Icardi’s history for that kind of money even if he is one of the best strikers in the world.
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