Lokomotiv Moscow sporting director Andrei Losiouk has spoken on loan-star Joao Mario and whether they will take up their option to sign him on a permanent basis from Inter.

“He is doing very well, he settled in immediately. He is giving us a hand, he is very good. Does he stay with us? For sure he will until the end of the season, then we will see if we will buy him. It will also depend on him,” he explained in an interview with Italia broadcaster Sky Sport Italia at a WyScout event.

In a follow-up interview with Calciomercato.com, he added: “Joao Mario has achieved his goals in these three months, he has also returned to the national team.

“Obviously it is very early to talk about possible redemption from Inter. There is still a long way to go in the season. The agreement with Inter is clear and we will certainly talk more about him later.

“We must also remember that from next year in Russia there will be a new rule that will allow the registration of up to 8 foreigners in the team.”