Inter have become embroiled in a compensation claim by Portuguese club Sporting CP over the transfer of midfielder Joao Mario to Benfica in 2021.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sporting are furious with the circumstances that saw Portugal international Joao Mario move to their bitter Lisbon rivals, following the termination of his contract at Inter.
The 29-year-old joined Inter from Sporting in a €41 million deal in 2016 but failed to establish himself in Serie A, and was loaned back to them in 2020.
However, after his contract with the Nerazzurri was mutually terminated the following year, Joao Mario opted to complete a free transfer to Benfica, and Sporting claim that this broke the terms of the original sale in 2016.
Sporting argued that they should have been given first refusal to sign the player, whilst they were due a fee should Inter sell him to a direct rival.
Indeed, they are claiming €30m in compensation from Inter, but it is reported that Nerazzurri remain unflustered by this and will allow FIFA to make a final decision.
Inter are confident of winning the case given that Joao Mario’s contract had been terminated and he was a free agent upon joining Benfica.
