Joao Mario’s excessive wages are the main reason behind Inter’s inability to offload the midfielder, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Portugal international has now entered the fourth season in his five-year deal with the Nerazzurri, which guarantees him an annual salary worth €2.7 million.

West Ham took Mario on loan for six months in 2018 but no other club has been willing to cover the player’s wages since then.

Sevilla and Galatasaray are the latest to sound out a move for the 26-year-old and could yet step up their interest.

Monaco and a few clubs from Portugal have made approaches for Mario this summer, but talks never properly took off because of his salary.

Inter are hoping they can move the midfielder on soon and free up space for another signing before the end of the window.

Mario made 20 appearances under Luciano Spalletti last season, scoring once and creating three assists.

He has never repaid the faith Inter showed in him three summers ago, when he was signed in a €40 million deal from Sporting Lisbon.