Joao Mario will not be purchased outright by Lokomotiv Moscow and will therefore return to Inter once his loan deal expires according to a report in today’s print edition of Tuttosport.
The Portuguese national team midfielder joined the Russian Premier League side on a season long loan this past Summer with an €18 million option to buy attached but the club have confirmed they cannot afford to sign him as a result of the impact that the Coronavirus crisis has had on their finances.
Upon his return to Inter, the 27-year-old will have a value of €13.6 million against the clubs books and a contract until the end of the 2021/22 season.
It is possible that he could be sent out on loan given that Real Betis and Marseille, who both showed an interest in signing him permanently, no longer appear interested in him.
This season he has made 15 appearances across all competitions to date, in which he has scored one goal and tallied four assists.
