Chelsea and Liverpool in for Inter Milan frontman Mauro Icardi?

Chelsea, 9/1 chances with Coral to go through the Premier League season unbeaten, and Liverpool, 3/1 shots for a top four finish, have both been linked with taking Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi to England next summer.

Tabloid reports claim, despite being the Nerazzurri’s leading marksman with 11 across all competitions, Argentine attacker Icardi, 21, is not part of new manager Roberto Mancini’s plans. It should be noted, however, that the player started the Milan derby and was only replaced by Southampton loanee Pablo Daniel Osvaldo late on.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho is understood to be planning for the long-term. Although he signed Diego Costa and Loic Remy this past summer, and brought Didier Drogba back to Stamford Bridge, the veteran Ivorian is only on a one-year deal and speculation is mounting he will retire come the end of the season.

Chelsea’s other striking options have fitness concerns over them. Brazilian-born Spain striker Costa has long-standing hamstring, and related, problems, while Remy has just returned from a groin injury.

Brendan Rodgers’ Reds, meanwhile, have an even more immediate need to bolster their attack, following a fourth straight Premier League defeat. Losing 3-1 at Crystal Palace means the Anfield outfit are on their worst run under the Northern Irish boss.

Mario Balotelli, a £16m summer signing from Inter’s San Siro ground-sharers AC Milan, has failed to score in the league, while Rickie Lambert broke his Liverpool duck at Selhurst Park. Daniel Sturridge, meanwhile, is sidelined by a recurring thigh problem and Fabio Borini is yet to net this term.

If reports out of Italy that suggest Icardi has no future at the Nerazzurri under Mancini prove true, then the Reds may want to test the water with a winter window bid. Inter, 14/1 chances to win the Europa League this season, rate their striker, who is on the fringes of Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s Argentina national squad, at £28m.