Serie A: Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi leaves pre-season training camp midway amid speculation over striker's move to Juventus

Rome: Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi has left the club’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland, the Serie A giants announced on Saturday, as speculation surrounding his future intensified. The Argentinian, who was stripped of the captaincy last season amid a long contract dispute, has been linked with a possible move to Juventus. Icardi was the joint top-scorer in the 2017-18 Serie A campaign with 29 goals but managed just 11 last season, having spent 53 days on the sidelines after being replaced as skipper by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. The club announced the news of Icardi leaving the training camp on Twitter.

.@MauroIcardi will today return to Milan from our training camp in Lugano. The club and the striker have come to this decision by mutual agreement. Icardi will continue his pre-season training over the next few days and will take no part in our Summer Tour in Asia.#FCIM

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) July 13, 2019

Inter Milan endured a topsy-turvy campaign last season, only securing fourth place and Champions League qualification on the Serie A final day. Luciano Spalletti left his role as head coach in May, with former Juventus, Italy and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte taking over. They have already been busy in the transfer market, bringing in experienced centre-back Diego Godin from Atletico Madrid on a free transfer and signing Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella from Cagliari.