Inter have confirmed Mauro Icardi has started legal action against the club, according to FcInterNews.it.

Earlier tonight, Gazzetta dello Sport reported the striker was suing the Nerazzurri for €1.5 million in damages.

Icardi believes he has the right to take part in Antonio Conte’s tactical exercises, from which he has been excluded all summer, and wants to be reintegrated immediately.

Instead of trying to earn his place in the squad with hard work on the training field, he has opted to take on the club he has always claimed he loved.

Inter are said to be ‘irritated’ about Icardi’s decision, which arrives three days before the end of the transfer window.

CEO Beppe Marotta told reporters this afternoon the parties were ‘collaborating’ to find a solution for his future, yet this now appears to be anything but the case.

Friday’s leading sports papers in Italy suggested Inter were considering loaning Icardi abroad, but this would seem impossible after tonight’s developments.

Icardi’s absence from Inter’s team dinner last night could now be interpreted as a sign of his decision to burn his bridges with the club.