A verbal agreement has been reached between Inter midfielder Joao Mario and Portuguese side Benfica ahead of a possible transfer, according to a report from Gianluca Di Marzio today.
As has been reported on GianlucaDiMarzio.com, the Inter midfielder has agreed on a five-year deal at the Liga NOS side. The length of the contract was specifically requested by Benfica coach Jorge Jesus.
Joao Mario spent the previous season on loan at Sporting Lisbon who he helped win the 2020/21 Portuguese title. He was expected to remain there on a permanent deal but Sporting Lisbon were not willing to meet Inter’s €8 million asking price. They only offered €3 million with an extra €2 million of add-ons.
Benfica is now poised to strike and steal the player away from their city rivals. Earlier reports suggest that Joao Mario is wary of upsetting and angering the Sporting Lisbon fans if he moves to their rivals, but clearly he is willing to make the move.