Mauro Icardi started legal action against Inter tonight, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The striker is demanding €1.5 million and full reintegration into training with the first team, having been excluded from Antonio Conte’s tactical exercises throughout the summer.

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta told reporters this afternoon he was ‘very confident’ they would find a solution for Icardi’s future, assuring that there was ‘collaboration’ from all parties to get a deal done.

But it now appears clear the club are in open warfare with their former captain, who is refusing to leave before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Earlier this week, one of Italy’s most accomplished sports lawyers confirmed Icardi could not force Inter to use him in tactical drills.

Mattia Grassani told Corriere dello Sport: “The technical sphere of activity is exclusively a matter for the coach and his backroom staff, without the chance for anyone to interfere from elsewhere.

“It doesn’t seem correct to me to suggest any athlete has a right to take part in preparatory matches or tactical exercises no matter what. It would clash with the notion of the coach having complete autonomy when he takes charge of training sessions.”

Marotta and vice-president Javier Zanetti have both confirmed during the last 24 hours that Inter’s position on Icardi has not changed.

Maurito is not part of the Nerazzurri’s future plans and has no chance of ever playing for the club again.

Friday’s leading sports papers in Italy suggested Inter might send Icardi abroad on a loan deal, having first extended his contract for another year.

It would now seem impossible the 26-year-old could agree to such an arrangement, having started legal action against the club he has always claimed to love.