Mauro Icardi, Inter Milan Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi has agreed a new long-term contract at the San Siro, committing his future to the club until 2021.

News of the extension came via the club’s official Twitter feed on Friday:

The centre-forward has starred for the Nerazzurri since joining from Sampdoria in 2013, leading the line with distinction and showcasing a clinical edge in front of goal. Already this term he’s netted an impressive six times in Serie A.

As noted by the aforementioned report, Icardi has scored 58 goals in 114 games for the Milan outfit in total. Here’s a look at some of his best moments in the iconic blue-and-black jersey:

The news will come as a relief to some sections of the Inter fanbase. After all, there was plenty of speculation surrounding Icardi’s future during the summer, with Arsenal said to be interested in the £50 million-rated sharpshooter, per Tony Stenson of the Daily Star.

However, the striker remained at the San Siro and looks poised for another prosperous campaign in front of goal. As these numbers from OptaPaolo illustrate, Icardi’s goalscoring exploits have already won Inter a number of key points:

Not only will this contract end fears about the 23-year-old moving to a new club, it’ll put off any potential interest from elsewhere. The player’s wife and agent, Wanda Icardi, has told Infobae (h/t Football Italia) that there’s a €110 million (£99 million) release clause in this new deal.

With such stratospheric figures included, there will be an onus on Icardi to continue developing as a forward and push Inter back towards the summit of Serie A.

Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

The Argentina international struggled with the responsibility of captaining the side early in the previous campaign, although he gradually grew into the armband as the season went on. Now he’s ready to lead from the front and inspire Frank de Boer’s squad to a very prosperous year.

There are areas where Icardi needs to improve, most notably in terms of hold-up play and use of the ball. However, provided he can continue finding the back of the net with such regularity, those who frequent the San Siro will be delighted he’s ready to stick around for many years yet.