Icardi: 'Absolutely staying with Inter'

By Football Italia staff

Mauro Icardi assured he “will absolutely stay” at Inter and “I see no unhappy faces in the locker room.”

The striker has been linked with a summer exit to meet Financial Fair Play parameters amid interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

“I have a contract until 2019 and there are a few years to go yet. I will absolutely stay here,” he told reporters at a charity event.

“Do I want to become the new Javier Zanetti? Steady on, that’s a lot of years. I am happy to be here and to be wearing his armband. If I get to remain as many years as he did, then I’ll be even happier.”

The atmosphere around Inter is tense, as Samir Handanovic and Stevan Jovetic declared they could walk away after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

“We consolidated fourth place and I think we’re all happy. I see no unhappy faces in the locker room, in all honesty. We are all good lads here, myself included.

“I don’t see this in the locker room, but if they have problems with the club and do not want to remain here then they have to talk to the club.”

Will Roberto Mancini stay at San Siro next season too?

“He has another year on his contract, then these things are discussed in July. I’m sure he’ll be happy to remain here, because he created a fine group.”

Despite being joint-Capocannoniere last season with 22 goals, Icardi is yet to break into the Argentina squad.

“I work well at Inter every day, then if the Coach calls me, I will be ready. It’s a dream to play for your country.

“The Olympics? In all honesty we haven’t talked about it with the club or the Coach. The Games are in August, a call-up would be in July, so there’s time to discuss it.”

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