Could Chelsea Beat Manchester City to the Signing of Mauro Icardi?

This is a post in collaboration with Bruce West.

The start of a new year always signals the beginning of an important period for football managers who are given a month to find players who could make the all-important difference between success and failure. Manuel Pellegrini may look to make a real statement of intent in their battle at the Premier League summit with Chelsea through multi-million pound signings that could result in City retaining the title. Injuries to key players and the absence of Yaya Toure to the African Cup of Nations may be enough motivation for Pellegrini to dip into the transfer market, although the current squad have hit a purple patch at a crucial stage of the season. However, one player they could miss out on is Mauro Icardi as Chelsea appear strong favourites to secure the services of the highly-rated Inter Milan star, with Mourinho looking to secure the Premier League title in his second season back in England.

Icardi’s potential

Sergio Aguero’s untimely injury may force Manchester City to bring in another top quality striker, with the rumour mill providing Christian Benteke and Wilfried Bony as potential targets. Another name which may be on City’s radar is Mauro Icardi who was linked with a move to the Etihad during the summer. He may not be the big-name striker City fans are looking for, but the potential opportunity to sign a 21-year-old with a big future ahead of him may be too good to turn down. Icardi has established himself as a key component of Inter Milan’s present and future, with 8 goals in 16 Serie A appearances providing an excellent record of a goal in every other game. Whilst his international career is yet to take off due to the high calibre of strikers Argentina currently possess, Icardi continues to shine at domestic level amidst the club’s struggles to replicate past glories. The young striker has developed a clinical edge to his game that makes him so dangerous, with a combination of speed and strength making Icardi more than your typical number 9.

Strong interest

Roberto Mancini, recently appointed as the new Inter Milan manager, would be loathe to lose his star striker who, alongside the multi-talented Mateo Kovacic, represent a wonderful future for the club. However, the lure of moving to another big European club who are likely to compete for trophies every season may be enough to persuade Icardi that his future lies elsewhere. More importantly for Inter, selling their prized asset has become an unfortunate necessity to conform with Financial Fair Play rules, but they will undoubtedly look for a bidding war to break out between clubs interested in signing Icardi to secure the biggest fee possible. This may deter reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid from firming up their interest in the knowledge that they would be blown out of the water by Chelsea and Manchester City who have the financial power to hijack any potential deal. Liverpool and Tottenham may also show their hand if a bidding war breaks out for Icardi, but a £20 million deal is reportedly close to being agreed with Chelsea. It may serve as a blow to miss out on a player to City’s closest title rivals, but Pellegrini may have the last laugh if he manages to sign a top quality striker who leads Manchester City towards a successful title defence.