Real Madrid are set to pay the £97.8 million release clause to sign Mauro Icardi

The La Liga giants want to shake up their attack following a disappointing season

They sit fourth in the La Liga table following their 1-0 defeat at home to Villarreal

Icardi has netted 18 goals in 22 appearances as Inter Milan sit third in Serie A

Real Madrid are set to pay the £97.8 million release clause of Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi as the La Liga giants aim to shake up their attack.

Los Blancos are currently in the middle of a disastrous run of form by their standards and sit fourth in the La Liga table following their 1-0 defeat at home to Villarreal on Saturday.

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They also lie 19 points behind leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona and Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claims Madrid want Icardi to turn their fortunes around.

Real Madrid are set to pay the £97.8 million release clause of Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi

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The Inter captain has been touted for a move away from the San Siro after an impressive season so far.

Icardi has netted 18 goals in 22 appearances as Inter sit third in Serie A, nine points off leaders Napoli.

The Argentine has a contract at the San Siro until 2021, meaning Real would have to be willing to spend big to secure their man.

Icardi has netted 18 goals in 22 appearances during this campaign as Inter sit third in Serie A

Real forward Karim Benzema has struggled with the club keen to add more attacking prowess

Icardi's goal scoring figures are far more impressive than current Real forward Karim Benzema's, with the Frenchman scoring only five in 20 appearances this season.

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Although he was missing through a hamstring injury, Madrid created a number of chances against Villarreal but were kept at bay by superb goalkeeping from Sergio Asenjo, before Pablo Fornals' perfectly-executed chip consigned Zidane's side to defeat.

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Madrid have only managed to accumulate 32 points after 18 matches, which is their lowest points total at this stage of the season since the 2005-06 campaign when they had 30.