Transfer Centre

Massimiliano Allegri plays down Mauro Icardi to Juventus talk

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 16 February 2019

Allegri plays down Icardi to Juventus talk

Massimiliano Allegri attempts to play down Juventus's rumoured interest in Mauro Icardi by insisting that he is not in the loop when it comes to transfer activity.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has insisted that he is not aware of any interest from his side in signing Mauro Icardi from rivals Inter Milan.

The Argentina international has been stripped of the Inter captaincy and withdrew from the squad to face Rapid Vienna in midweek, which is supposedly down to contract talks between the player and club dragging on.

Rumours from Italy emerged earlier this week suggesting that an agreement may already be in place for Icardi to join Italian champions Juve at the end of the season.

Allegri has tried to steer clear of talk linking the prolific striker with a move to the Allianz Stadium, though, by pointing out that he has little say in who joins the club.

"I don't know anything about the market. I prefer to go to the beach in the summer! The club takes care of the players and makes them available," he told reporters.

"Icardi is a forward who can score goals, but I leave the assessments to [Inter boss Luciano] Spalletti, who coaches him and knows him better."

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio is hopeful that Icardi will remain at San Siro for the long term, despite the recent uncertainty.