West Ham have agreed to pay Joao Mario’s wages in full to help complete his switch from Inter Milan in January, according to a reliable journalist.
Sky Sports correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his official website that the Hammers are once again back in for the 25-year-old after a pursuit in the January window.
It is understood the Premier League side are willing to pay the Portugal internationals’s £2.5million wages plus a £400,000 commission to his agent to loan him for the rest of the season.
The report details that a future sum of £30million has been set to complete a permanent move to the London Stadium.
However, West Ham co-owner David Sullivan is currently holding up the deal as he does not way to pay an additional £1.3million loan sum on top of Mario’s wages to compete a deal.
The two clubs are still in talks over the January switch as they try to agree on finances.
Good move for West Ham?
Mario may not have lived up to the hype since his £40million switch to Inter, but he is a talented player and would be a welcomed addition to the West Ham squad.
David Moyes could do with some extra quality in his side and the technically gifted attacker could be a great signing if he rediscovers his best form.
He was an important part of Portugal’s international side when they won the European Championships in 2016 and he also has 25 assists in his last two-and-a-half years at club level.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
West Ham appear to be closing in on a deal for Mario despite lots of uncertainty surrounding this deal during this month.
However, the London-based club are willing to fork out on the playmaker’s big wages to sign him in January with a view to a permanent signing.
Sullivan’s stubbornness over extra money for a loan deal is holding up things right now, but that can be expected to be resolved.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10