English Premier League side West Ham United is reportedly preparing a €35 million summer swoop on Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi.

Football Italia reported that the Hammers "have set their eyes" on Inter's team captain even though there are no indications that the Italian Serie A club will sell him in the coming summer transfer window.

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The 23-year-old Argentine forward had struggled all season due to nagging injuries, scoring 16 goals in only 29 appearances in the Italian top flight this term, but is still considered as one of I Nerazzurri's "most highly-valued players" as a number of European clubs are said to be keen on making an offer for him at the end of the season.

In his last game, Icardi showed why he will be in demand this summer as he netted the opening goal for La Beneamata during their 2-1 home win over Empoli last Saturday. However, he also exposed why teams would think twice in acquiring him as he went out of the match with a thigh strain.

Speculations abound that West Ham is one of the top teams in contention for the Argentina international's services this summer. It was reported that the Upton Park residents are "willing to pay the player's buy-out clause of €35m and meet his wage demands" just to make him join them.

Other suitors, such as Arsenal, is not seen to be ready to grant Icardi's demands and so the Hammers have become the first option for the 5-foot-11 striker.

Meanwhile, Caught Offside noted that the €35 million will be the highest transfer fee in West Ham United's history if the deal would push through and thus the Gunners would have to be prepared to match or surpass the Irons' offer if they want to land Icardi.

Icardi had been with Inter beginning the 2013-2014 season when he was signed from Sampdoria that summer for around €11.7 million. He scored 52 times in 102 appearances in all competitions for Internazionale since then.

TagsFootball News & Rumors, Football News & Rumors 2016, Mauro Icardi, Inter Milan, West Ham United FC