Former West Ham loanee recalled for Inter Milan.
Former West Ham loanee Joao Mario got a surprise recall from the wilderness at Inter Milan last night.
Joao Mario has been out of favour at Inter all year, which was why he was loaned out to West Ham in the first place.
Inter wanted to sell him to West Ham for £26 million in the summer [via Evening Standard], but this was too steep a price for the attacking midfielder.
After being overlooked all season and omitted from their Champions League squad, Joao Mario was surprisingly picked in Inter’s starting line up last night in a big game away to Lazio.
He played for an hour in a comfortable 3-0 victory for the Nerazzurri.
The Portuguese attacker told Tuttomercatoweb: “I was surprised, but the coach always said to be ready.
“I’m happy for this opportunity.”
It’s too early to say whether Joao Mario can turn his fortunes around at Inter, or this is simply a case of the club deciding to put him in the shop window ahead of January.
Last season on loan for West Ham he scored twice in 13 games.
The Hammers may rightly have felt Inter’s asking price was too much, but it’s positive to see that he is back playing football. He’s certainly too good to be sat in the stands each week.
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