West Ham target Joao Mario given extra encouragement to depart Inter Milan.
West Ham United transfer target Joao Mario has been pushed a little closer to the Inter Milan exit door.
The player now seems increasingly certain to leave, with Inter making clear they have already found a replacement.
A deal has been agreed to sign Argentine attacker Lautaro Martinez, snapping up the 20-year-old from Racing Club.
He has been undergoing a medical at Inter this week as he moves to seal his transfer, Gazzetta report.
Martinez is a striker, a different type of player to Joao Mario, but Inter Milan’s actions make clear that they are pushing the Portugal international aside.
It is a snub to Joao Mario to give his shirt away while he is already under contract, and makes clear Inter have decided to move on and there will be no second chance.
The attacker scored two goals and provided one assist in 13 appearances for the Hammers.
He is clearly available for transfer and it is just a case now of whether West Ham can get the deal done, how badly they want him and whether they find common ground with Inter Milan in terms of their valuation.
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