Inter Milan have launched their bid for Sampdoria striker Mauro Icardi this week.

In the past month, Inter identities, including coach Andrea Stramaccioni and captain Javier Zanetti, have talked up Icardi and the prospect of him moving to the Nerazzurri.

Gazzetta dello Sport says Inter chief Marco Branca met with the Samp star's agent and Italian representative this week to begin talks about bringing the Argentine to Milan in the summer.

A fee of around €12.5 million has been mentioned, though young Inter goalkeeper Francesco Bardi, now on-loan at Novara, could come into the equation.