Inter Milan

Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti said he is unsure if he'll remain at the club this summer amid rumours he could be replaced by Antonio Conte. 

Conte has been out of work since he left Chelsea last year, though he has also been linked with a return to former club Juventus.

Per Goal's Sacha Pisani, Spalletti said after the team's final game of the Serie A season on Sunday: "I don't know if I'll leave Inter. Conte was called into question at Juve after the game against Ajax [in the Champions League]."

The Bianconeri are in the market for a new manager after deciding to part ways with Massimiliano Allegri. Both the coach and the club had previously been insistent he would remain in charge after Juve were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final by Ajax.

Per Pisani, Spalletti was reminded of the circumstances surrounding Allegri's departure and said:

"But [Juve chairman Andrea] Agnelli said at a press conference the next day that he wouldn't touch anything and then made a change.

"For me, you can learn from that behaviour. But I'm in the perfect role that I want to be in, and I'm behaving the way I want to. I'm calm."

Inter beat Empoli 2-1 on Sunday in the final match of their 2018-19 season to secure UEFA Champions League football for the second season running under Spalletti. Prior to the 60-year-old taking charge, Inter had been absent from the competition since 2012.

However, it has not all been smooth sailing under the coach.

The Nerazzurri finished on the same points as third-placed Atalanta this season but scored 20 goals fewer. While Inter were not helped by Mauro Icardi's absence from the team for part of the campaign, it does not make for inspiring reading.

Sports journalist Nima Tavallaey and Football Italia's Richard Hall were critical of Spalletti during Inter's 4-1 defeat to Napoli in their penultimate game:

When does he? It’s a continual frustration how @Inter play to the oppositions tempo, always catch up, always second guessing #NapoliInter

— Richard Hall (@RichHall80) May 19, 2019

Football writer Adam Digby also questioned his decisions during Sunday's win over Empoli:

Dalbert comes on, Inter get torn apart down his flank, Empoli score. Luciano Spalletti’s “protect the lead” subs once again cause his side’s undoing. He just can’t help it can he?

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) May 26, 2019

Conte won three Serie A titles in a row with Juventus and also guided Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season in England, so he would be a clear upgrade in the dugout.

Back-to-back Champions League qualification is a significant achievement for Spalletti relative to how Inter have performed in recent years, but if the opportunity is there for Inter to bring in a coach who could restore them to Italy's elite, they need to take it.

Mauro Icardi's wife and agent Wanda Nara has denied speculation the striker will leave Inter Milan for Juventus, saying he's not thinking about the Bianconeri.

Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) reported the former Sampdoria man has agreed terms with the Italian champions last week, but Nara refuted those claims in an interview with Tiki Taka (h/t Football Italia): "Icardi never said he wanted Juve, that’s not what he thinks. No one’s heard Mauro talk since he had the captaincy taken away from him."

Nara ruled out a summer exit for the Inter hitman earlier this month, telling Tiki Taka (h/t James Westwood of Goal) there have been offers for his services.

The player himself also committed his future to the club in an Instagram post (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"Because recently the media have reported news that does not reflect my thoughts, I want to inform our fans that I have repeatedly informed Inter about my will to remain with the club. Hopefully now there will be no more misunderstandings.

"I understand the interests of the press in selling fake news so I would rather clarify things personally.

"I have already expressed the will to stay because Inter is my family. Time will reveal who is speaking the truth. Forza Inter, always."

But none of those comments have silenced the transfer rumour mill after the falling-out between the club and player this season. Per Burton, Real Madrid have been credited with an interest, while Gianluca Di Marzio told Sky Sports (h/t Jack Otway of the Daily Express), said Manchester United are also keen.

COPA90 explained how the decision to strip Icardi of the captaincy kicked off the saga surrounding the Argentinian:

😬 Mauro Icardi's time at Inter could be coming to an end... pic.twitter.com/u4sWi9E3OT

— COPA90 (@Copa90) February 14, 2019

The relationship between the club and player appeared broken beyond repair after manager Luciano Spalletti opted not to use him in a 1-0 loss against Lazio, despite an injury to key player Lautaro Martinez, and heavily criticised him in his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia).

The tactician said the situation was "humiliating," questioned his professionalism and said he lacked respect.

Inter ultras have also said Icardi is no longer welcome, releasing a statement in which they said he cannot be part of the club's future, per Football Italia.

But despite all those setbacks, Nara and Icardi appear determined to stay at the San Siro this summer.

The striker has been the club's most prolific scorer the past few seasons and finished the 2017-18 campaign with 29 Serie A goals. He has only managed 11 this season, however, with one match left to play.

Inter host Empoli on Sunday, knowing a win will be enough to secure a UEFA Champions League ticket.

Mauro Icardi has taken to Instagram to confirm he has told Inter Milan he wants to remain at the club despite speculation surrounding his future this summer.

Per Goal's Chris Burton, Real Madrid have frequently been linked with him, while according to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport (h/t Jack Otway of the Daily Express), Manchester United are also eyeing him.

However, Icardi wrote on Instagram (h/t Burton):

"Because recently the media have reported news that does not reflect my thoughts, I want to inform our fans that I have repeatedly informed Inter about my will to remain with the club.

"Hopefully now there will be no more misunderstandings.

"I understand the interests of the press in selling fake news so I would rather clarify things personally.

"I have already expressed the will to stay because Inter is my family.

"Time will reveal who is speaking the truth. Forza Inter, always."

The Argentinian was stripped of the captaincy at the San Siro in February and did not play again until April 3.

Inter boss Luciano Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Goal) that Icardi had been selected but refused to join the squad for their UEFA Europa League trip to Rapid Vienna on 14 February.

Earlier in May Inter's ultras, the Curva Nord, released a statement in which they slammed his attitude and said he "cannot be part of Inter's future," per Football Italia.

It is not the first time Icardi has angered Inter's fans. In 2016, he had to remove a chapter from his autobiography that offended the ultras and was punished by the club.

While he's had a turbulent time off the pitch, he has proven himself to be a potent threat in the box and has scored 123 goals in 217 games for the club.

Sports journalist Jonas Giaever felt United would make good use of his clinical play:

*) Mauro Icardi brings a circus with him you wanna stay clear of. But in terms of his style of play, I think he'd be excellent for Manchester United.

— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) May 6, 2019

He could be an asset to a team like Real, too, after they sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus last year and lost his average contribution of 50 goals per season.

He looks set to remain where he is, however, and he could play UEFA Champions League football with Inter for just the second time next season.

The Nerazzurri are third in Serie A with two matches remaining, four points ahead of bitter rivals AC Milan, who sit in fifth.

If Icardi can cement their qualification with goals in their final matches against Napoli and Empoli, that could help him to rebuild a bridge with the supporters.

Wanda Nara, the wife and agent of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, has said the forward will remain at the San Siro despite interest from some of the "best teams" in European football.

The 2018-19 season has been challenging for the Argentina international. Earlier this year he was stripped of the club captaincy and spent a prolonged spell out of the side, with numerous comments made in public by Nara, Icardi, Inter manager Luciano Spalletti and the club's chief executive Giuseppe Marotta.

Icardi has since been integrated into the team again at Inter, and speaking on Tiki Taka (h/t James Westwood of Goal), Nara said she's getting fed up of the speculation:

"Many continue to say that Icardi will leave, I get annoyed. I'm tired of repeating that he wants to stay at Inter. I'll turn my phone off on the first day of the transfer window. There have been offers, but Icardi's staying at Inter. That's it.

"The best teams have contacted him, the best coaches want him, but Mauro believes he's staying at Inter, regardless of who their coach will be."

Copa90 provided a breakdown of the Icardi saga that gripped Inter earlier in the season:

😬 Mauro Icardi's time at Inter could be coming to an end... pic.twitter.com/u4sWi9E3OT

— COPA90 (@Copa90) February 14, 2019

One of the clubs linked with Icardi recently has been Juventus, with talk of a possible swap deal involving Paulo Dybala surfacing as of late, per blogger Arjun Pradeep:

🇮🇹 📰 |

Today's reports also say that unlike Dybala, Icardi would have no problem in moving to another Italian team and so he would prefer joining Juventus, to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Inter remain interested in Dybala because of Marotta's relationship with Paulo. pic.twitter.com/kBhBfwrYQk

— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) April 19, 2019

Given the way the season has gone for Icardi, speculation about a possible transfer is understandable. 

While he's proved himself in recent years as one of the deadliest finishers in world football, his reluctance to sign a new contract, the removal of the captaincy and his subsequent marginalisation has left many Inter supporters unhappy with their No. 9.

The 26-year-old has been short of his best since his comeback too, as he's without a goal in his last five Serie A appearances. 

Football Italia noted there isn't much goodwill towards the striker from the Inter hardcore:

#FCIM ultras already hurling abuse at Icardi, who isn't even playing. Liveblog https://t.co/9AorQDPKQF #UdineseInter #SerieA

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 4, 2019

Without Icardi at his ruthless best, Inter are clinging on to their top-four spot in Serie A. Ahead of Monday's meeting with Chievo, they are just a point clear of city rivals AC Milan, having played a game fewer.

While they've been tough to beat, they've drawn four of their last five games, including two scoreless draws. With Icardi in form, there's every chance those games end up going in Inter's favour.

Decisive players like the Argentina international may be difficult to come by, but there will be plenty associated with Inter who think the striker is more hassle than he's worth. If a big offer were to come in, there would be a temptation to take the money, although it doesn't appear as though Icardi is preparing for a switch this summer.

Inter Milan's ultras have released a damning statement regarding star striker Mauro Icardi, saying the Argentinian hitman "cannot be part" of the club's future due to his poor attitude and mentality.

Icardi's 2018-19 season has been overshadowed by controversy, and the Curva Nord, Inter's ultras, have had enough, per Football Italia:

"We’ve tried to explain it in every possible way.

"Nobody is doubting his technical qualities as a player, but the problem is and always will be tied to his mentality and the attitude he has towards the rest of the squad that he cannot and will never change.

"He had so many chances to reconcile with his teammates in the dressing room and with fans in the Curva, but never took them. That proves he is a player who, for the common good, cannot be part of Inter’s future. He is too superficial."

Last week, his agent and wife Wanda Nara told Tiki Taka (h/t Football Italia) he is determined to stay at the club.

The 26-year-old and the Nerazzurri had an ugly falling-out earlier this season, starting when he was stripped of the captaincy. Per Sky Sport Italia (h/t Goal), manager Luciano Spalletti then said the player refused to travel to Austria for a UEFA Europa League match against Rapid Vienna, despite being called up.

He then spent time on the sidelines with an injury, but the situation barely improved when he returned. Spalletti left him out of his squad for the 1-0 loss against Sampdoria and vented in the post-match interview, saying the saga was humiliating, per Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia).

The situation has stabilised since, and Icardi started Inter's most recent match, a 1-1 draw against Juventus. But per Football Italia, the release of a series of nude photos in which he posed with Nara has added yet another source of frustration for the Curva Nord.

Sportswriter Jonas Giaever shared one of the photos:

For those of you that don't know; this photo was posted yesterday my Mauro Icardi. The woman in this photo is his wife/agent Wanda Nara. I'll leave it at that pic.twitter.com/Cr1B2MvDlP

— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) May 3, 2019

According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport (h/t Jack Otway of the Daily Express), Manchester United are interested in the former Sampdoria man, and a swap deal for Romelu Lukaku is a possibility.

Di Marzio mentioned Napoli as possible suitors, and Juventus have also been credited with an interest. Corriere di Torino (h/t Italian Football TV) have reported there have been talks already:

https://twitter.com/IFTVofficial/status/1124368931261575168

Icardi finished three of the last four Serie A seasons with 22 or more goals, but he has only found the net 10 times in the current campaign.

Inter will be counting on him to finish the season strongly, as they have yet to secure a spot in next year's UEFA Champions League. They sit in third place, but the likes of Atalanta, Roma, Torino and AC Milan are all within six points. The Nerazzurri face Udinese on Saturday and will have three more outings in Serie A after that match.

Wanda Nara, the wife and agent of Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi, has dismissed speculation linking the player with a move away from the club.

The 2018-19 season has been a turbulent one for the Argentina international, as he has been stripped of the captaincy and involved in a public dispute with the club regarding a new contract.

Unsurprisingly, speculation has started to intensify regarding Icardi's position at Inter ahead of the summer transfer window opening. However, according to Nara, the player is happy at the Milan club and isn't seeking to move anywhere.

"We will continue here," she said, per Canale 5 via ESPN (h/t Football Espana). "We will remain here next year. ... He is much more serene now."

Football Espana noted that Icardi has a release clause of €110 million (£95 million) in his Inter contract; both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been linked as possible suitors for the 26-year-old sharpshooter.

As football writer Arjun Pradeep relayed, there has also been some speculation linking Icardi with Juventus in a transfer that would see Paulo Dybala head to the San Siro:

🇮🇹 📰 |

Front pages of GdS, CdS & TS headline on Icardi's complicated situation at Inter. There's Real Madrid in his future. It'd take Dybala for Juve to unlock Icardi as Inter are targeting the former to combine him in a duo with Martínez. Juve also lead the race for Zaniolo. pic.twitter.com/tNIVnntECO

— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) March 19, 2019

Icardi used to be adored by the Inter faithful, having built up an affinity with the supporters based on his goalscoring instincts and clear passion for the team. However, recent events have undoubtedly soured the relationship between the player and the fanbase.

The striker has been drafted back into the team again recently following a recent spell on the sidelines. In his first game back, he was impressive in the 4-0 win against Fiorentina:

1+1 - Mauro #Icardi, that has found the net 109 days after his previous Serie A goal, has both scored and delivered and assist for the first time since September 2018 (v Fiorentina). Comeback?#GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/TnAFWFoLyr

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 3, 2019

However, he's failed to find the net in the three games since, and on Saturday, he began the Serie A showdown with Roma on the bench. Icardi was eventually drafted into the action in the second period of the 1-1 draw.

Following the game, the Inter ultras posted a press release in which they describe Icardi as a "little man" and accused him of failing to show "the minimum of professional correctness that any 'employee of a company' should demonstrate expressing respect for the shirt," per Calciomercato.

As beIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri observed, when he scored against Fiorentina, some Inter supporters decided not to celebrate the goal:

Icardi scores, but chiefs of Inter hard fans tell fans not to celebrate
(Inter ultras released a very harsh statement against him) pic.twitter.com/4stwXFWAA5

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) April 3, 2019

The situation is far from ideal for Icardi. While the striker is clearly strong-minded, the animosity he is facing from supporters is not conducive to him performing to a high standard on a consistent basis.

Should the striker get back among the goals, tensions between him and the fans will surely cool. However, given all that has gone on in recent weeks, Inter would be tempted to cash in and put the saga behind them if they received a big bid.

Luciano Spalletti has said he was the one who had to concede ground in the stand-off between Inter Milan and Mauro Icardi after the Argentinian scored in his return to the side against Genoa on Wednesday. 

Before Wednesday, when Inter thrashed Genoa 4-0 away from home, Icardi had not played since February 9:

Welcome back. pic.twitter.com/sUDIpXB3KY

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 3, 2019

In the interim he was stripped of the captaincy amid stalled contract negotiations and was heavily linked with a departure from the San Siro, most notably to Real Madrid. 

The striker's exile ended against Genoa as he played 80 minutes in Serie A, scoring Inter's second from the penalty spot.

Spalletti said afterwards that the situation had reached a point where someone had to give in, and he duly did, per Goal:

"Someone had to take a step back towards Inter. I had to be the first and I did it. I expected everyone to do the same. It was hard to have it happen, but with today's victory everything is OK. The team was very professional and smart. [Icardi] took a risk when it came to the goal because it wasn't easy to take a penalty for a player who's gone through all this recently. He showed personality. The team allowed him to take it and everything was fine."

Roberto Gagliardini scored either side of Icardi's 40th-minute penalty and Ivan Perisic's goal, which was assisted by the returning forward, to make for an easy night for Inter:

1+1 - Mauro #Icardi, that has found the net 109 days after his previous Serie A goal, has both scored and delivered and assist for the first time since September 2018 (v Fiorentina). Comeback?#GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/TnAFWFoLyr

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 3, 2019

They now sit comfortably in third, four points ahead of fourth-placed AC Milan.

Atalanta are in fifth, just outside the UEFA Champions League spots and eight points back from Inter.

That gap could be cut to five, though, if Atalanta win at home to Bologna on Thursday before they face the Nerazzurri in Milan on Sunday.

That clash is crucial for Inter in their bid to return to the Champions League for the second season running.

A victory over Atalanta would be a huge step towards securing a top-four finish, but a defeat would drag Inter back into a dogfight.

The return of Icardi could be crucial in the run in. Inter fared passably without him as they won three, lost two and drew once in Serie A.

However, he has been their top scorer for each of the last four campaigns and is arguably the club's most important player.

Per DAZN (h/t Sacha Pisani of Goal), Radja Nainggolan said after Icardi's return against Genoa that "we all need to row in the same direction towards the same objective."

That objective is securing Champions League football, and Icardi will help with that.

Mauro Icardi will start for Inter Milan in Wednesday's trip to Genoa in the Serie A after almost two months out of the squad, manager Luciano Spalletti has confirmed.

The Argentina striker's last Inter appearance came against Parma on February 9, but Spalletti addressed the media on Tuesday and said the midweek visit to Genoa would provide the stage for his return:

🎙️ | #Spalletti:

"@MauroIcardi is available. The work done by Marotta has been instrumental in ensuring that all parties can take part in a real discussion and not virtual. This now means that Icardi is in a position to help the team."#GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/WOPt364wLT

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) April 2, 2019

🎙️ | #Spalletti:

"Tomorrow, @MauroIcardi will start. He's shown the right reaction mentally, something which is more important than the physical side of things. We'll see how long he'll be able to remain on the pitch and if we'll need to take him off." #GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/JjoDmEEGNS

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) April 2, 2019

Spalletti's reference to a "real discussion" taking place and not a virtual one hint at previous comments from the manager that Icardi's differences with the club "aren't resolved via chat, video or 'likes.'" It's understood contract negotiations are at the root of the divide between the two parties.

The manager went on to say Icardi trained on Sunday and "took a bludgeoning from his team-mates," adding: "Mauro's able to drag the team forward when he's in it. From the outside, no. In these last few training sessions and without sending messages on social media, he's regained his place in the squad."

He also stressed the importance of the forward to the team, and his overall value as a player.

“If mediation is born to dictate conditions, it becomes more complicated," he said. "In the context of our team, Mauro’s worth more than Messi and Ronaldo put together."

The Guardian's Paolo Bandini wrote about Icardi's alleged rifts with team-mates Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic. Goal's Alif Chandra commented on the disruption being at least partly fuelled by the forward's wife and agent, Wanda Nara.

Spalletti concluded in Tuesday's press conference: "Now we all go to work for the good of Inter. The case is closed in all respects. Now he needs to train, sweat, smell the grass and not talk through other people."

Argentinian compatriot Lautaro Martinez had filled in for Icardi and netted two goals in his last three Serie A appearances, but he was injured for Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Lazio.

Keita Balde Diao was quiet during that loss, after which Spalletti gave the impression Icardi would still be out of contention.

However, it appears enough progress has been made off the field for Icardi to be welcomed back into the fold, with new chief executive Giuseppe Marotta seemingly playing a large role in restoring the player.

That could be the case, or Spalletti could have accelerated the process after seeing how limited his options have become, rather than be left with winger Keita as the best choice to lead his line.

Veteran goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has acted as Inter captain during Icardi's absence from the lineup. The striker's last league goal for his club was a 1-0 winner against Udinese on December 15.

Inter's most committed supporters also look to have taken a hard stance on the player following his absence from the team, per sports writer Siavoush Fallahi:

Curva Nord statement on Mauro Icardi: "We no longer consider Mauro Icardi an Inter player" pic.twitter.com/vYgK0VmI7R

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) April 2, 2019

"Curva Nord believes that Icardi has proved that he doesn't have the character needed, not only to be captain, but also to build a future with him as key to a united locker room. "

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) April 2, 2019

Icardi has won Inter's fans back after falling out with them in the past, though he might struggle to restore the same reputation at the San Siro after spending just short of two months on the sidelines.

The Nerazzurri are third in Serie A and two points ahead of fierce rivals AC Milan as they seek qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti and star striker Mauro Icardi's wife and agent Wanda Nara gave different versions of recent events in the press after Sunday's 1-0 loss to Lazio in Serie A. 

Spalletti opted not to call up Icardi after he returned to training this week, despite the absence of the injured Lautaro Martinez. Inter were predictably toothless in attack as a result, and the coach criticised the former Sampdoria man in his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia).

He explained why he kept him on the sidelines, saying it was down to his behaviour, before calling the fact he has employed a lawyer to mediate on his behalf "humiliating":

"I know what my job is. As things stand today, for the way he behaved, he has to stay out and the others have to play. It is clear for everyone to see what happened and how events unfolded.

[…]

"This mediation is humiliating for Inter fans and for those who love Inter. The need to mediate with someone just to get him to pull on the shirt that they love. It's humiliating.

"Negotiating with someone just to get him to pull on the Inter shirt. What, do I need to email 20 lawyers and ask them if I can call someone up?

"Icardi needs a game out. If he continues to behave the way he has done recently, then he can start to come back in. People say we lost games without Icardi. Inter didn't get into the Champions League for years with Icardi. Inter lost worse games than this with Icardi.

"Lionel Messi makes the difference, not Icardi, with all due respect. Professionalism and self respect are everything. Discipline is everything.

"I've left players out for far less in my time. You must have respect and behave in the locker room. The coach must be credible and recognised as someone who will do the right thing."

Nara responded to the criticism during an appearance on TV show Tiki Taka (h/t Goal's Jamie Smith):

"Mauro is ready, and it's all down to the coach's decision.

"If Mauro came back, would he make the same choices? It depends on what choices...I don't know. It depends on how you see the situation.

"Mauro has not yet spoken: he only expects to play and is preparing for this.

"His [Spalletti's] words are not a step back. Mauro is used to hearing so many things around him, but then focuses on what needs to be done to help Inter on the field."

Icardi hasn't featured for the club since February, when the club stripped him of the captaincy. As Football Italia explained, the 26-year-old claimed his absence was due to a knee injury, but it is widely believed he instead pulled out as a reaction to the captaincy issue.

Inter are in the middle of a tight battle for a UEFA Champions League spot and could have used their star hitman on Sunday. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic gave Lazio a lead in the first half, and that was enough to bag three crucial points:

The result moved Lazio just five points behind Inter and was a major disappointment for the fans, and the post-match comments from the coach only made things worse. Some supporters thought his outburst was just as bad as Icardi's continued absence:

There’s only so much one can take, from both Icardi and Spalletti. This is beyond embarrassing and ultimately both should be dealt with accordingly. The seasons most basic objective is under threat. This is unacceptable.

— Jimmy Watson (@CurvaNordSoul) April 1, 2019

Football writer Gabriele Marcotti also thought it was a bad look for the tactician:

What credibility? The club handled it and reached a solution. Then he drops him because he didn't apologise in a team meeting.
And he doesn't leave it there either. He reopens the whole thing after the match. Making it all about him. Like Icardi, he's an employee. Act like one.

— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) March 31, 2019

Inter have won just two of their last five Serie A matches, opening the door for AC Milan, Atalanta and Lazio to make a real push for third place in the standings. The Nerazzurri face a difficult stretch of fixtures to end the season, with the likes of Atalanta, Roma, Juventus and Napoli all still on the schedule.

The saga involving Inter Milan and Mauro Icardi has taken yet another turn, as manager Luciano Spalletti has left the striker out of his squad to face Lazio and explained his decision by saying "new things happened."

Per Football Italia, Icardi returned to training ahead of the Lazio game for the first time since February. While Inter stated his absence was because of a knee injury, it coincided with him being stripped of the captaincy, a decision the Nerrazzuri have yet to explain.

Icardi was expected to feature on Sunday against Lazio and was even in line to start after an injury to fellow forward Lautaro Martinez, but Spalletti has left him out of the squad:

"In some ways, it was like having a new player, because he hadn't been with us for such a long time.

"He trained with us and in some ways we need to get him back into our training regime behaviour. Considering what happened lately, including yesterday, I maintain he is not yet able to help his teammates in this game. That is why he will not be called up.

"I have to consider everything, from the previous period all the way up to yesterday. He trained with us all week, something new happened yesterday that I need to evaluate. Training sessions are fundamental. For the next few games, we'll see."

Speaking to ANSA (h/t Football Italia), Icardi's lawyer responded with surprise to the news, indicating Spalletti's decision is not because of the player's fitness:

"Since the day of Icardi's return to training, he has been at the full disposal of the squad, behaving professionally and following the steps worked out by me, CEO Beppe Marotta and President Steven Zhang in the interests of both Inter and the player.

"I was not informed as to the decision to leave Icardi out of the squad, so not knowing the reasons for it, I cannot comment on that.

"I spoke to Marotta daily, who always told me that everything was going positively."

Per the report, the lawyer was needed as an intermediary to negotiate Icardi's return to the squad.

The 26-year-old has been with Inter since 2013 but appears to be inching ever closer to a summer exit. Icardi―along with his wife and agent, Wanda Nara―and Inter fought out an ugly public battle following the decision to remove his captaincy.

According to ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell, Inter did not appreciate comments Nara made about the team in public. Nara frequently appears on Italian television as a pundit and hasn't shied away from criticising the club.

Inter added fuel to the saga by making a statement on their official website that said a scan found no damage to his knee, downplaying the injury that supposedly sidelined the forward.

Icardi's return to training this week seemed to be a step in the right direction, and the club made a big deal out of his return:

However, indications are the two parties are nowhere close to making up.

A happy ending seems as unlikely as ever, and Inter fans have noted his transfer value has plummeted as well:

Tracking Icardi’s value on the transfer market #Inter pic.twitter.com/a51KJ2P8M6

— Alex Donno (@AlexDonno) March 30, 2019

Lazio sit just eight points behind Inter in the standings, so Sunday's contest will be a crucial one in the race for the European places. With Martinez and Icardi both sidelined, the Nerrazzuri will be without their two best attackers, leaving former Lazio man Keita Balde Diao as the likely starter.

Spalletti confirmed Inter will also be without defender Stefan de Vrij, adding to the team's worries ahead of this important fixture.