'We don't want Icardi' – Spalletti rules out reunion with Galatasaray striker

  /  autty

Luciano Spalletti ruled out a reunion with Galatasaray striker Mauro Icardi, as Juventus' search for a forward continues ahead of the January transfer window slamming shut. 

Spalletti's comments came after Juventus' thumping 4-1 win over Parma on Sunday, with Bremer scoring a brace and Weston McKennie and Jonathan David also on target. 

The Juventus boss has made clear his desire to bring another striker to the club this month, with Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta linked with a switch to Turin. 

Icardi is another player that has been of rumoured interest, with the Argentine having played under Spalletti at Inter between 2017 and 2019. 

Indeed, Icardi scored 46 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions with Spalletti as his manager, but the Juventus head coach quickly shut down the possibility of a reunion. 

"I get asked about Icardi and [Victor] Osimhen in a press conference, so I can only speak highly of Icardi as a player when he was in my team," explained Spalletti.

"There were other situations that he took into the locker room that were about his home life and didn’t belong in the locker room, so I had to talk to him.

"When you are in a dressing room, you cannot keep the door open to let in other matters.

"I had to make a decision then, and I decided to exclude him, so he had a reaction based on that. He is a good lad, a lovely person, and a fantastic striker.

"But we don't want Icardi. Is that okay? If I speak highly of someone, then it goes all over the headlines that I want to sign him, but it’s not true.

"We are looking for a player with specific characteristics. If we don't find him, then we'll stay as we are. After all, McKennie is as good a hitman as anyone!"

Juventus have, however, secured two late moves, announcing the arrivals of Jeremie Boga from Nice on loan and Emil Holm from Bologna in an exchange with Joao Mario.

But when asked about Juventus' victory at Stadio Ennio Tardini, a result that moved them into the top four of Serie A, Spalletti urged his players not to get carried away. 

That is despite Juventus winning four of their last five away games in Serie A (one loss), just one fewer than in their previous 18 away games in the top flight (W5 D7 L6).

"It is better not to look at statistics, as often those come from static situations that do not influence the result," Spalletti said.

"Football is more about sudden changes of pace, duels and second balls, that is where you get into the real game. Whoever is more wide awake there can win the match."

Spalletti also revealed that Kenan Yildiz was suffering with an injury and that was the reason he was replaced by Fabio Miretti at half-time, with the youngster now a doubt to face Atalanta in the Coppa Italia later this week.

"Yildiz told us during the first half he felt a bit of pain, but he could make it to half-time," explained Spalletti.

"We trusted him, but he now has a bit of pain even when walking, so we have to evaluate it, but it shouldn't be too serious. I think it'll be tough to get him ready for Thursday."

Related: Juventus Galatasaray Luciano Spalletti Icardi
Download All Football for more comments