Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala spoke to each other over the phone recently as Inter pursue a swap deal with Juventus, according to La Repubblica this morning.

The pair have played a handful of matches together for Argentina’s national team and could yet become club teammates in Turin.

However, Inter hope to prize Dybala away from Juventus this month and send their former captain in the opposite direction.

The paper reported: “This exchange of opinions – Paulo, how’s life in Turin? Mauro, how’s life in Milan? – really could be the prelude to a swap deal, with both clubs recording a capital gain as a result.

“There are also tactical reasons behind this transfer idea, though, which for Antonio Conte are clear: he wants to create a classic strike partnership with two players who complement each other physically and technically.”

La Repubblica suggested Dybala could even play behind a front two of Romelu Lukaku and Edin Dzeko, giving Inter another option against defensive sides when their midfielders are struggling to release the strikers over the top.

However, Juventus have not lost hope of sending Dybala to Manchester United yet and want the deal to happen at all costs.

Fabio Paratici flew to London again yesterday in the hope of reviving talks, after United refused to pay the €15 million commission requested by Dybala’s agent Jorge Antun.

The only way Juve can push the deal through is by agreeing to pay that commission themselves, be it partially or in full.