After a hugely successful season on loan, Sporting CP are keen to purchase midfielder Joao Mario outright this summer but are yet to strike a deal with Inter.
The Portuguese international returned to his former club last summer after failing to establish himself at Inter and was instrumental as Sporting won a first Primeira Liga title since 2002.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Tuttosport, the 28-year-old is determined to remain in Lisbon whilst Inter see no future for him at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, but reaching an agreement with Sporting is proving difficult.
The Nerazzurri are unwilling to allow further discounts on Joao Mario despite being determined to sell him as soon as possible, with his contract expiring next summer, and are holding out for €8 million.
Sporting have requested that payments are deferred and spread over four years, whilst they hope to bring the price down by offering a young player in return, but Inter will only accept an upfront payment.
