Negotiations have slowed down between Inter and Sporting Lisbon for the sale of the Portuguese midfielder, according to a report in the Italian print media today.
As has been reported by Corriere dello Sport today, Sporting Lisbon are refusing to meet Inter’s asking price for the player that they had on loan last season.
The transfer of Joao Mario was expected to be the first of Inter’s many supposed outgoings this summer, but the Portuguese club are currently unwilling to meet Inter’s €7.5 million valuation of the 28-year-old. They have bid an undisclosed lower fee which Inter are not willing to accept.
Inter have previously made it clear that they do not wish to go against the wishes of Joao Mario, who has made it clear that he would like to make his loan move to Sporting Lisbon permanent.
Regardless of that, Inter need to raise €80 million this summer and if they accept a low bid here, it could encourage other clubs to bid beneath their asking prices for other players.
