Joao Mario is closing on a surprise loan move to Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, according to Sky Sport.

The midfielder is expected to leave the club before next Monday’s transfer deadline and will not play in tonight’s Serie A fixture against Lecce.

Sporting Lisbon, Sevilla, Monaco and Galatasaray were linked to Mario in this morning’s papers but it seems Lokomotiv are now firmly in pole position to sign him.

Mario was at Inter’s offices in Milan earlier today to sort the final details of the move, which should involve a loan with an option to buy.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter will send the former Sporting player on a dry loan to the Russian Premier League club on a dry loan with an option to make the transfer permanent set at €15 million, as well as the Russians paying his wages during the loan period.

Inter paid Sporting more than €40 million to bring Mario to Milan in the summer of 2016. The 26-year-old has struggled to settle in Italy, however, scoring just four goals in 69 appearances.

Mario joined West Ham on loan for six months in 2018, but he was forced to return to Inter last season.

Luciano Spalletti did not count upon him during the second half of the campaign and sent the player home from training on one occasion, accusing Mario of lacking commitment.