The former agent of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi has revealed how close he has come to joining Real Madrid in the past.

The ex-Barcelona junior is now managed by his wife Wanda Nara.

However, Letterio Pino recalled to Top Calcio 24, "Yes, Real Madrid has tried. In their imagination, they thought that (Karim) Benzema would leave and were therefore looking for a player, and among them there was Icardi.

"Things were very tough, though.

"In the final point, there was a stalemate with Icardi saying he wanted to stay at Inter."