An ongoing dispute between Inter Milan and Dani Osvaldo took a new twist on Saturday with reports claiming the Serie A giants are suing the on-loan Southampton striker for 28 mn euros.
Osvaldo has been ostracized from Inter since he attempted to attack fellow striker Mauro Icardi during a 1-1 draw with Juventus several weeks ago.
The incident was exacerbated by a heated exchange with coach Mancini following the match and the Argentina-born Italy international was then suspended by Inter after failing to turn up to training for two days, during which time Osvaldo failed to inform club bosses of his whereabouts.
Osvaldo is owned by Southampton, who loaned him to Juventus for free for the second half of the 2014 season. He then moved to Inter on a free loan deal for the current campaign, before his recent fall from grace at the club.
Inter are now trying to offload Osvaldo, with Juventus the reported destination, but La Gazzetta dello Sport said the San Siro giants have demanded 28m euros compensation from the striker.
The club have reportedly demanded 25m euros for breach of contract and a further 3m euros from the image rights the striker signed over to the club.
Osvaldo, meanwhile, is reportedly suing Inter for 3m euros for their refusal to allow him to enter the club’s training complex during his unauthorised break from the club.
Inter’s demands have compounded Juve’s hopes of taking Osvaldo on loan for free.
According to a report in La Stampa, the Serie A champions “have demanded to take Osvaldo on a free loan deal”.
Former Fiorentina, Bologna and Roma striker Osvaldo, 29, signed for Southampton in August 2013 for 15.1 million euros (£12.8m) but was fined and then suspended over his role in a touchline fracas in a league match against Newcastle.
He was then fined by the club for a training ground incident in which he allegedly head-butted team-mate Jose Fonte and was quickly loaned to Juventus last January.