It is almost certain that Joao Mario’s future lies away from Inter but this has not stopped the Inter management team showing him support.

The Portuguese midfielder blasted the club and claimed he would not return for pre-season and was booed by supporters during the friendly against Lyon in Lecce on Saturday night.

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio and manager Luciano Spalletti took him aside and told him to not listen to the booing and simply do his best for the team and it is understood that they also spoke about his future with the club, Corriere dello Sport report.

The 25-year-old is longing for a return to the Premier League where he spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham but no offers have been forthcoming from England and with the English transfer window shutting on Thursday, his chances of a return this window are quickly diminishing.