Report: Chelsea start Mauro Icardi bidding war with £52m offer

Chelsea have moved first in the race to sign Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan by offering to hand over £52m, according to a report.

Rumours have refused to go away regarding the 25-year-old, who has accrued a further 22 goals in 24 Serie A matches for Inter this term.

Agent and wife Wanda Nara stated earlier this week that Icardi is interested in staying at San Siro for the long term, but Spanish outlet AS suggests that Chelsea have already started to test the Nerazzurri's resolve.

The report adds that Real Madrid have so far stalled when it comes to making contact with the fallen Italian giants, but they will now make a bid of their own as they fear missing out on one of their top summer targets.

Inter are prepared to hold out until deep into the summer window, however, with other teams also likely to join the race, most notably Manchester United.