Joao Mario’s transfer to Sporting CP is being held up as the Lisbon-based club are in no hurry to get the deal over the line, and Inter could pursue other options to offload the player.
Today’s print edition of Porto-based newspaper O Jogo report that the Portuguese midfielder’s hoped-for transfer has not seen any movement in the last days.
Mario spent last season on loan in Lisbon where he helped Sporting win their first Portuguese title in 19 years, and the player’s preference for next season is to remain at the club on a permanent basis.
Inter meanwhile have made offloading the midfielder a priority, with his wages considered to be too high for a fringe squad member.
However, a deal with Sporting cannot be reached as the Portuguese club have not come close to meeting the Nerazzurri’s valuation for the 28-year-old, offering €4 million with another €1.5 million in add-ons while Inter want at least €7.5 million.
With no progress in the last several days after Sporting retracted an initial offer close to what the Nerazzurri asked for, Inter CEO Beppe Marotta and Sporting Director Piero Ausilio are treating the negotiations as interrupted and will seek offers from other clubs with Nice and Villarreal thought to be after the player’s services.
When any offer comes in that the Nerazzurri will accept, the final say will go to the player.
