Inter’s Joao Mario could depart the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for France this summer, with Ligue 1 club Nice preparing a formal offer for the midfielder.
This is according to French news outlet le10sport.com, who report that the interest from the French club will soon take the shape of a bid.
Inter had been in talks with Sporting CP to send the player to Lisbon on a permanent basis after a season on loan, before talks broke down over the Portuguese club’s refusal to come close to the Nerazzurri’s valuation for the player.
It is thought that this holdup in the deal with Sporting has given other European clubs hope of signing the 28-year-old, with Nice and Villarreal in particular reported as having interest in the player.
So far this interest has not gone as far as any concrete bids from any clubs, but Nice are ready to table an offer to the Nerazzurri, who are hopeful of finding a permanent home for the Portuguese.
The former West Ham United and Lokomotiv Moscow loanee is not a part of the club’s plans and Inter are keen to get his wages off their books.
It is not yet known whether Nice’s offer will meet or come close to Inter’s valuation, with Sporting and Villarreal still very much in the race for the player.
