Mauro Icardi’s contract talks and the supposed interest from Chelsea have been rumbling on for some time now but with the season now coming to an end and still no end in sight regarding the extended deal in Milan, speculation has intensified that the polemic striker could be headed to the Premier League.

The talents of Mauro Icardi have been evident since perhaps as early as being signed by Barcelona as a child but certainly after impressing with Sampdoria at the end of the 2011/12 season. With the speculation that comes from being an adundantly talented teenage striker coupled with a private life that the tabloid newspapers live for, it is easy to forget that Icardi is just 22 years of age.

This season, as Inter Milan’s number nine and main point of attack, Icardi has flourished and 22 goals have made several sides around Europe take note. Despite a public spat with supporters during what has been a difficult season for Milan, Icardi is a popular figure and the player himself is keen to remain in Italy. However, with the club in financial difficulties and set to be out of the Champions League for another season, negotiating a new deal is proving difficult.

After the most recent stumbling block Icardi said: “It’s at a difficult point. The people of San Siro love me, and I respect them so much. I try to make them happy in every game. I’m young, I’m only 22, and I hope I can have a career like Zanetti did. Although if I score 200 Serie A goals I’ll probably retire earlier than he did!”

Icardi is still under contract until 2018 but Inter know how much of an asset the 22-year-old is are aware that the reported £38,000-a-week he earns in Milan would be dwarfed by the contracts he could earn in England.

That said, reports in Italy suggest that the wage itself is not the issue and in fact the buy-out clause of €60 million is what Icardi and his representatives are displeased with.

As long as these negotiations continue, transfer speculation with surround Icardi and it is Jose Mourinho and Chelsea who appear to lead the pack. Chelsea will almost certainly be in the market for a centre forward despite just reclaiming the Premier League crown as Didier Drogba looks set to retire or leave the club and the club not really having a suitable back-up to Diego Costa.

The money of Chelsea, further increased by the new Premier League TV deal, could see them splash the cash and Icardi would be a superb addition to the squad.