Has Joao Mario priced himself out of West Ham United deal?

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Joao Mario spent the second half of this past season on loan at West Ham United from Inter Milan.

West Ham United midfielder Joao Mario has been quoted as saying by Gianlucadimarzio.com that he will not return to Inter Milan for next season.

Mario, who will play for Portugal at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia this summer, spent the second half of this past season on loan at West Ham from Inter, having joined the London club in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old Portugal international midfielder, though, has also said that he is still worth the £40 million that Inter paid Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2016 for him, as reported by Sky Sports.

Gianlucadimarzio.com quotes Mario as saying: “I’m still worth this amount, though. The year I arrived it was impossible to settle, for me but also for Gabigol. First Mancini, then De Boer, then Pioli… There was a lot of confusion and we couldn’t have an impact.

”I won’t return to Inter,” added the midfielder.

Too expensive for West Ham United?

It is clear that Mario wants to leave Inter, and his comments suggest that he will too expensive for West Ham to sign him on a permanent contract.

If the midfielder considers himself a £40m player, then so would Inter, and it is hard to see the Hammers cough up that much money for him.

Although the 25-year-old Portugal international scored two goals and provided one assists in 12 Premier League starts for the Hammers, the London club may not be willing to make him their record signing.

As stated on the Hammers’ official website, Marko Arnautovic is West Ham’s record signing, who cost the London side an initial transfer fee of £20m plus an additional £5m in potential add-ons, according to The Guardian.