Premier League newcomers Fulham were reportedly keen to sign former West Ham United loanee Joao Mario, who has struggled in Serie A with Inter Milan.
Joao Mario was expected to stay in the Premier League after spending the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United – particularly with Financial Fair Play issues dictating that Inter Milan had to cash in on a couple of fringe players.
But despite links with Tottenham, Everton and Wolves, and suggestions of a permanent move to West Ham, Mario ended the summer transfer window stuck at the San Siro.
And reports in FC Inter News are now claiming that the Portuguese international could have joined Fulham – had he not turned down a move to Craven Cottage.
It was reported that Mario was a wanted man towards the end of the window with big-spending Fulham very interested. But, the report adds, the former Sporting Lisbon midfielder felt he would be better off staying at Inter as he felt they were a more ambitious club than the Cottagers.
Since then, the season hasn’t exactly gone to plan for either Mario or Fulham.
The 25-year-old, who moved to Inter for a club-record £40 million in 2016 (The Sun), became something of a forgotten man at the San Siro before making a surprise return from the wilderness in Monday’s 3-0 thrashing of Lazio.
Fulham, meanwhile, have won just one out of 10 Premier League games and have conceded a remarkable 28 goals so far.
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