PSG splash £52m to sign Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan
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Mauro Iardi of PSG celebrates during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Dijon FCO at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, February 29, 2020. /VCG

Mauro Iardi of PSG celebrates during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Dijon FCO at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, February 29, 2020. /VCG

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have signed Argentina international Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan on a four-year deal after taking up the option to buy the on-loan forward, the two clubs announced on Sunday, splashing out £52 million (64.37 million U.S. dollars) in football's biggest transfer since the coronavirus outbreak.

Icardi joined PSG this season and impressed with 20 goals in 31 games, before the Ligue 1 campaign was stopped and his club crowned champions because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Paris Saint-Germain are delighted to announce the signing of Mauro Icardi on a permanent deal, following the striker's loan from Inter Milan during the 2019-2020 season," the French club said in a statement.

Icardi, who has eight caps for Argentina, but also holds an Italian passport, has signed a four-year deal until June 30, 2024.

The 27-year-old's recruitment could signal the departure of Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, 33, the top scorer in the history of the club, whose contract expires on June 30.

Edinson Cavani of PSG (C) during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Dijon FCO at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, February 29, 2020. /VCG

Edinson Cavani of PSG (C) during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Dijon FCO at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, February 29, 2020. /VCG

Icardi's debut season may not have finished yet with the Champions League still to be concluded, perhaps in August.

Inter Milan thanked Icardi "for the six seasons he spent with us and wish him the best for his future professional career."

He joined Inter from Sampdoria in 2013 and scored 124 goals for the team.

But despite being twice Serie A top scorer in 2015 and 2018, he failed to win any trophies in Italy, fell out with the Inter Milan hierarchy in February 2019 and was stripped of the club captaincy.

He was frozen out when Antonio Conte took over as coach this season.

(With input from AFP)