Ligue 1 side Nice look to be the favourites to sign Inter midfielder Joao Mario this summer, with talks between the player and Sporting CP having broken down.
This according to Italian news outlet L’Interista, who report that the 28-year-old has been unable to reach an agreement with Sporting that would see his loan from last season become a permanent stay, and that Nice are ready to move for him.
Inter are looking to sell the midfielder in the window the the player not in Simone Inzaghi’s first-team plans and offloading his wages considered a priority.
It had been thought that a deal could be done with Sporting for the player’s sale, with the Portuguese having spent last season on loan with the Lisbon club, helping them win the Portuguese league title, and preferring to remain in Lisbon going forward.
However, talks between clubs broke down over the fee involved with the Portuguese champions refusing to meet the Nerazzurri’s valuation, and now it also appears that the player has also ceased discussions with Sporting.
Sporting are not the only club to have shown an interest in this window, however, with several clubs inquiring about him, and with negotiations having broken down with the Portuguese club decisively it is now reported that Nice are ready to accelerate talks to sign him.
It still remains to be seen if the Ligue 1 club will submit an offer which the Nerazzurri find acceptable, but should they do so they are not the favourites for the midfielder’s signature.
