Inter decided to sell Mauro Icardi this summer after intercepting text messages between the striker and Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici in January, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Maurito was stripped of the club captaincy in February amid reports he had fallen out with most of his Inter teammates.

However, it now seems the dressing room unrest was not the real reason behind Inter’s decision to change their strategy and stop talks for a new contract.

Gazzetta reported this morning: “Paratici and Beppe Marotta have not seen each other for months. They don’t say things in public meaning it’s impossible to find a direct argument, but don’t let their good manners fool you.

“The tension remains and you can see it.”

Juventus appear to have formed an alliance with Roma this summer to block Inter’s transfer business, pushing through a swap deal in June which complicated their pursuit of Edin Dzeko.

Marotta has responded by talking up the possibility of swapping Icardi for Paulo Dybala, although Paratici’s firm opposition to the idea makes a deal highly unlikely.

Paratici is adamant Dybala will either stay in Turin or move abroad, with Manchester United coming close to signing the forward last week.

The pair’s rivalry will only become fiercer as time passes, but soon it will be time for Inter and Juventus to start doing battle on the pitch again instead.