Mauro Icardi Reportedly Set for New Inter Contract Amid Real Madrid Rumours

Inter Milan are reportedly preparing a new contract for Mauro Icardi amid links with Real Madrid and Europe's other elite clubs.

According to Calciomercato.com's Fabrizio Romano, Inter are calm amid Real, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich's interest in Icardi but are nevertheless considering a new deal for him.

Should Inter qualify for the UEFA Champions League, they would be able to offer the Argentinian an improved salary and would also insert a bigger release clause into his contract, which stands at €110 million (£98 million).

Icardi is only 24, but he already boasts a phenomenal record for the Nerazzurri, per BT Sport Football:

Included in that record are the 13 goals he's scored in as many Serie A matches this season.

His form has earned high praise from his manager, Luciano Spalletti, per Goal:

Such a comparison is apt—there are few strikers more predatory in the penalty area than Icardi, who would likely have scored even more goals for Inter had his team-mates been able to provide him with better service in recent years.

Things are looking up for the Serie A giants, though. Their highest league finish in the past six years was fourth. But this year, they are sat in second, two points behind league leaders Napoli.

Slovakia international Vladimir Weiss hailed Icardi after he bagged two goals against Atalanta on Sunday:

"

Icardi’s unreal. His movement off the ball is a joke. Very underrated player.

— Vladimir Weiss (@VladiW7) November 19, 2017"

Inter's form will no doubt encourage Icardi to stay at the club, particularly if they can maintain it until the end of the season and qualify for the Champions League or perhaps even win silverware. A new deal could put the Nerazzurri in a stronger position should one of Europe's elite come calling.

However, keeping him will prove difficult if that happens, new contract or not.