After a successful spell on loan at Lisbon club Sporting CP, Joao Mario is expected to get his wish of a permanent move to the club very soon.
Today’s print edition of Lisbon-based newspaper Record report that the Portuguese midfielder’s agent Federico Pastorello has been working to mediate between the buying and selling clubs, and a deal is close to being reached.
The Nerazzuri are thought to have been demanding €8 million for the player, while Sporting are said to have raised their offer to somewhere in the region of €7 million, proposing a deferred payment.
Given that the two clubs’ valuations have nearly been brought together, a deal may be done within the week.
After high expectations from joining the club on the back of being a key contributor to Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph, the 28-year-old midfielder has not featured in recently-departed head coach Antonio Conte’s plans, and has had loan spells with English club West Ham United and Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow.
The Portuguese’s most successful season under contract with Inter came as he made 32 league appearances for Sporting as the Lisbon-based clubs became Portuguese champions.