Mauro Icardi has received moral support from an unlikely source this weekend, with former Milan president Silvio Berlusconi admitting he would sign the Argentine for his club.

Berlusconi is currently in charge at Monza, who play in Serie C, and offered a brief riposte to reporters while out on a political campaign on Saturday.

Berlusconi was not suggesting he will try to sign Icardi for Monza but nevertheless gave the forward his seal of approval after a tormented fortnight for the 26-year-old.

Icardi has not featured for Inter since being stripped of the club captaincy on 13 February and will miss the Nerazzurri’s next two matches as well, officially due to a knee injury.

Inter had hoped he would continue to play for the team without the armband but a war of nerves has ensued, with neither party willing to back down from their original positions.

Icardi is expected to leave in the summer but it remains to be seen who will want to sign him and how much they would be willing to offer.