FC Internazionale Milano sporting director Piero Ausilio has insisted the club have no intention of selling star striker Mauro Icardi when the transfer window re-opens in the summer.
Reports in Italy had suggested that Internazionale could sell Icardi if the club fail to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
However, Ausilio has moved to rubbish such reports, insisting the Nerazzurri intend to move forward with the likes of Icardi, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic and Xherdan Shaqiri.
“What would happen if they offered me 40 million euros this summer for Icardi? We have no intention of negotiating.
“We are thinking about the present and the future with Icardi.
“Our intentions are clear, we are building a team that will last for a long time, with young valuable players.
“To talents like [Croatian midfielder Mateo] Kovacic and Icardi, we have brought in other players of quality like [Croatian midfielder Marcelo] Brozovic and [Swiss midfielder Xherdan] Shaqiri.
“This is in the direction that we want to move forward.”
The Argentina international, who joined the Nerazzurri from Sampdoria in the summer of 2013, has tallied 14 goals and one assists in 24 Serie A appearances (21 starts) for Internazionale in 2014/15.
“We know we have to recognise the good work he [Icardi] had done and that will be done,” Ausilio added. “He has made his requests and we are working towards that.
“What matters is that we will soon reach an agreement, I’m convinced.”
Internazionale, currently in ninth-place in the Italian Serie A table (10 points behind third-placed Napoli who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot), will face Wolfsburg in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League later this month.
Barca, Man Utd wanted Marquinhos
Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has revealed European powerhouses Barcelona and Manchester United tried to sign him last summer.
The Brazil international, 20, joined PSG from Roma for a fee in excess of €30 million in July 2013, and is rated as one of Europe’s top young centre-backs.
“Yes, Manchester United wanted me and Barcelona too,” Marquinhos said. “Those two clubs negotiated with PSG but the directors did not give them any option. That gave me confidence.
“The president and the coach are happy with me. It would be good to renew [my contract] for Paris.”
After losing out on Marquinhos, Barcelona signed Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal, while Manchester United added Marcos Rojo from Sporting CP.
Vermaelen has yet to make an appearance for Barca, and is expected to be out for the rest of the season after undergoing thigh surgery earlier this term.
Meanwhile, Rojo, 24, has proven to be a good signing for the Red Devils, having started 16 English Premier League fixtures under Louis van Gaal in this season.
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