West Ham’s bid to sign Inter Milan playmaker Joao Mario is back on the cards following a stunning U-turn from the player, according to a reliable journalist.
Sky Sports Italy correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio reported on his personal website that Mario, 24, is reconsidering the possibility of moving to the London Stadium after rejecting their first offer.
Inter Milan are willing to allow the Portugal international to leave on loan in January and it has been widely reported that talks have taken place with West Ham.
Di Marzio reports that the deal is now alive after a shock change of stance from the player and the Premier League club are working on a loan move with an option to buy at the end of the season.
Mario has been a bit-part player this season for Inter, but has still managed an impressive five assists in 15 appearances, many of which have been as a substitute.
Good move for West Ham?
Mario is not enjoying his best season at Inter as he struggles to live up to the £40million fee that took him from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2016. But he has genuine pedigree and a CV that demands respect. He was a key player of the Portugal Euro 2016-winning squad and has proved he can create plenty of goals from deep midfield positions. West Ham could do with a bit of star quality sprinkled into their team and Mario would fit the bill.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
This deal has been resurrected after appearing dead in the water earlier today. That will be a huge boost to West Ham, who have to provide a persuasive enough case to convince the player to join. Do that, and a January gem could arrive.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10