Ahead Of Transfer Market, Lionel Messi's $66M-Worth Teammate Completes A Move To Neymar's PSG

Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammate Mauro Icardi, who had been on loan at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from Inter Milan, has secured a permanent deal from the French side, which already includes the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Icardi, who moved to Paris in September on a season-long loan with a buyout option, had an asking price of $66 million, which PSG paid to secure his services on a full-time basis ahead of the summer transfer window. The 27-year-old Argentinian forward’s new deal with PSG will see him stay at the club until at least June 2024.

Icardi scored 124 goals in 219 games for Inter Milan. It is understood that Icardi chose to leave the Serie A side permanently because of a bitter fallout between the two parties. Despite that, the club has thanked the striker for his contribution.

“FC Internazionale Milano announces the transfer of Mauro Icardi to Paris Saint-Germain FC: the striker, born in 1993, has permanently moved to the French club. The club thank the player for the six seasons he spent with us and wishes him the best for his future professional career,” said Inter Milan in an official statement.

Icardi produced a series of impressive performances before the French season was ended earlier due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. He netted 20 goals in 31 matches, across all the competitions, helping PSG to win the Ligue 1 title, their third in a row.

Ever since Icardi arrived at PSG last year, he had been fighting for a spot in the team with Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani. However, the successful debut campaign with PSG has pushed the forward ahead of Cavani, PSG's all-time top scorer, whose contract expires on June 30.

Even if Cavani, who has scored 200 goals in 300 matches for PSG, signs a new contract with the Ligue 1 champions, he may find it tough to get games because PSG would go with young players such as Icardi along with Neymar and Mbappe in their attack.