What was a heavy rain shower has turned into a thunder storm as Roberto Mancini prepares to bid farewell to Inter. It seems a formality now with the 52-year-old tactician speaking to his legal team to work out a severance payment. The effect of his departure could also be critical in deciding the future of striker Mauro Icardi, a player who trusted the former Sampdoria playing legend implicitly.
 

Mancini has always stood by the Argentine striker since his difficult start to life at the San Paolo, he has always encouraged the club to fight to keep hold of the 23-year-old but now it seems his own fight to stay at the club is lost. Reports suggest the player has been re-assured by the nerazzurri that he will still be the main man under the new regime headed by Frank de Boer but Icardi’s future remains in limbo as we approach the new campaign.  

This week there will be a decisive meeting to discuss the Argentine’s renewal. Inter will offer a contract extension until 2020/21 with an annual salary exceeding €4 million per season. Icardi wants more however, plus a substantial part of his image a right, that’s why the meeting is so important. New owners the Suning Group will stress their desire for him to stay but in the background there’s Napoli and a possible bid of €70 million. Should Icardi’s relationship with the nerazzurri completely breakdown, his future may lie at the San Paolo.

By Fabrizio Romano. Adapted and translated by Steve Mitchell