Inter Milan are willing to let Joao Mario leave Serie A but do West Ham United have a trump card?
The future of Joao Mario is still very much uncertain. According to O Jogo on Monday, West Ham were edging nearer to an agreement with Inter Milan to sign the out-of-favour play-maker on loan for the rest of the season, with the option to sign him permanently for about £22 million.
However it was understood that Mario was far from convinced about a move to West Ham. And FC Inter News reported that Premier League rivals Everton had muscled their way in and were hoping to nab the Euro 2016 winner from under the Hammers’ nose.
But West Ham could have a trump card that would blow Everton out the water. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Inter will let Mario leave for David Moyes side as long as they get Pedro Obiang in exchange.
Former Sampdoria powerhouse Obiang is a key player at West Ham but, for all his qualities, is a less gifted player than Mario, who Inter paid Sporting Lisbon £40 million for in the summer of 2016.
Mario is expected to give West Ham a clear answer about his future in the next 48 hours, but if Moyes is willing to put Obiang on the table, then Inter will surely push for their second most expensive player ever to join up with Moyes in London.
Unless Everton have a player on their books Inter would be keen to sign, West Ham appear now to be in pole position.
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