West Ham United have been linked with another loan move for Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario.
According to the Evening Standard, West Ham are exploring the possibility of signing Portuguese midfielder Mario on loan from Inter Milan for another season.
The Portugal international, who is currently away with the national side preparing for the World Cup in Russia and scored in a 2-2 draw with Tunisia, spent the second half of the season on loan with the Hammers after signing in January.
The 25-year-old made 14 appearances during his spell in east London, scoring twice, and impressed former manager David Moyes with his consistent work rate, often finishing top of the pile when it came to running statistics and distance covered.
The Hammers have since replaced Moyes with Manuel Pellegrini and reports claim the Chilean will be backed with unprecedented funds to improve the West Ham squad.
Pellegrini is already being linked with a host of players including defenders Marlon Santos and Armando Izzo and is expected to bolster all the key areas of the side including central midfield.
And the club may look to reunite Mario with his Portugal and former Sporting Lisbon teammate William Carvalho after being linked with the classy central midfield star for the last 18 months.
Mario’s goal for Portugal last time out saw West Ham fans take to social media to ask the club to sign him up.
And the picture above from the celebration after Mario’s goal could show the Hammers’ new-look midfield for next season, featuring Mario and Carvalho, two of the 11 players who helped Portugal win Euro 2016.
It would be the perfect balance of skill, passing ability and power which can only help West Ham improve.
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