Icardi’s arrival at PSG could push Cavani to look elsewhere

Prolific striker Mauro Icardi’s arrival at French champions Paris St Germain on a four-year deal raises doubts as to record scorer Edinson Cavani’s (pic) future at the club.

Inter Milan’s Icardi joined PSG on a season’s loan and had impressed with 20 goals in 31 games when the league season was stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic.

His convincing performances pushed him ahead of Cavani in coach Thomas Tuchel’s attacking hierarchy.

Cavani is PSG’s all-time record scorer with 200 goals in 300 games and remains a huge fan favourite, but the 33-year-old Uruguay striker is one of several players whose contracts are running out this season.

PSG took up their option to buy the 27-yearold Icardi and gave him a contract until June 2024.

Given Icardi’s relative youth, and the easy way he combined with Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria in attack, it may prove increasingly hard for Cavani to get games if he signs a new contract.

Cavani was linked with a move to Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window but PSG reportedly turned down an offer from the Spanish club.

No financial details were given by PSG about how much Icardi cost, but Italian media reported the transfer as costing 50mil (RM239mil) with additional bonuses.

The prolific Icardi netted 124 goals in 219 games for Inter but his spell there ended amid a bitter falling out.

Many observers were circumspect when he joined PSG on loan at the end of the summer transfer window.

But he took to French football quickly and used his excellent first touch, elusive movement off the ball and ice-cool finishing to contribute 12 league goals, one fewer than Neymar.

Icardi and Mbappe combined particularly well, reading each other’s runs in attack and taking their chances efficiently.