Joao Mario, despite seemingly being all but set to join Real Betis, is now just one step away from playing in Russia this coming season at Rubin Kazan according to a report from Milan based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
Having sold midfielder Alex Song to FC Sion, Rubin Kazan bosses have been working to quickly bring in a replacement for coach Kurban Berdyev and have identified Joao Mario as the replacement they want.
The report suggests that Inter are happy to hurry things along with the two time Russian champions in order to get the 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder out of the club. The report does however give no mention to what basis the former Sporting Lisbon attacker will be leaving the Nerazzurri on.
Joao Mario had been dreaming of a Premier League return following a loan at West Ham but when their transfer window shut over a week ago and no adequate offers arrive, he was forced to abandon that dream for the time being.
