Mauro Icardi honoured to be linked with Liverpool and Manchester United

Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi admits he is honoured to have been linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester United.

Icardi, a former Barcelona youngster who joined the Nerazzuri in 2013, has continued his rise in Serie A despite Inter's troubles, boasting 27 goals in 55 appearances for the club.

Ahead of his side's Europa League showdown with Celtic on Thursday, the Argentine striker was quizzed on reported interest from the Premier League. But while he is pleased to be linked with such clubs, his immediate focus is on success with Inter.

"I am not interested in rumours, what counts is winning with Inter," he told Calciomercato. "But if the ones about United, Chelsea and Liverpool (are true) then I'd be honoured, because they are big clubs, but I am already in a great team where I can win something important.

"I would certainly like to play in the Champions League. It is what every player wants and it would give me a boost towards wearing the shirt of Argentina."

Both Liverpool and United could find themselves in the market for a proven young striker in the summer.

Liverpool's problems when Daniel Sturridge is not available were well documented during the first half of the season, while Robin van Persie's advancing years and doubt over Radamel Falcao's future at the club could prompt Louis van Gaal to consider an overhaul of his options.

A striker who believes he has similar qualities to Argentine great Gabriel Batistuta having also been branded the 'new Lionel Messi' could provide a solution for both sides.

"The media call me the new Messi? It's a great honour, but it is not a label that I can accept," he continued.

"Messi is the greatest player and will be so forever. It would be a dream to play with him in the Argentine national team. People compare me to Batistuta and I look to him. I have good technique and shooting, and at headers, either. I think I look like him a lot."