Paris Saint-Germain pushing to make Icardi's loan deal permanent

Talks between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter over the future of Mauro Icardi are progressing in the right direction, claims Sky Sports.

Icardi joined PSG on an initial season-long loan deal last summer after being deemed surplus to requirements by new Inter head coach Antonio Conte.

The existing agreement between the two clubs includes an £62.8m option for PSG to make Icardi's switch permanent before May 31.

PSG want to secure Icardi on a full-time basis but are now in talks with Inter to lower the fee paid as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Clubs across the world are waiting to count the financial cost of COVID-19 and it will have a direct consequence on transfer fees paid in the short-term, with valuations tipped to tumble.

PSG are hoping to agree an initial £44.7m fee with Inter for Icardi plus a further £8.9m in performance related add-ons, though they face a race against time to get a deal over the line.

Nevertheless, Inter are understood to be responding positively to talks and Icardi is still expected to join PSG permanently.

With Edinson Cavani set to leave PSG on a free transfer this summer, Thomas Tuchel believes Icardi can play an important role at the club moving forward.

The 27-year-old only started 14 league matches for PSG this season and a further six appearances from the bench. Despite limited gametime he still netted 12 goals in Ligue 1.