West Ham United are moving for Inter Milan ace Joao Mario.
According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, West Ham United are moving closer to an agreement with Inter Milan for midfielder Joao Mario.
The Hammers are in the market for new signings this month despite a strong run of just one defeat in the last nine Premier League games under David Moyes, with one position a priority.
Adding another midfielder – preferably one with creative ability – to compete with Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate is a major priority, and West Ham are targeting a major coup.
Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio now reports that a deal for Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario could be back on, with discussions between the two clubs ongoing over a loan deal.
It’s claimed that West Ham are now agreeing to pay Mario’s £48,000-a-week wages in full, and will pay £350,000 to the player’s agent to seal a deal – but there remains a sticking point in negotiations.
The report states that West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan isn’t prepared to pay a £1.3million loan fee because the Hammers will pay his wages in full, with a £26million permanent clause included in the deal.
It now remains to be seen whether West Ham can get an agreement over the line, whilst convincing Mario to join the club may be somewhat difficult given that Sky Sports suggested last week that the Portugal international wasn’t keen on a move to West Ham.
Inter splashed £38million (Sky Sports) on Mario back in the summer of 2016 after starring for Sporting and Portugal, but with just five Serie A starts this season, an exit appears to be on the cards over the next week – and West Ham will be hoping to tempt him into a move.
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