OPINION
West Ham fans could have been forgiven for getting excited when the club signed Euro 2016 winner Joao Mario on loan from Inter Milan in January.
The 25-year-old had been a key part of the Portugal side that had gone all the way in the competition, and his performances had been recognised by the Nerazzurri, who bought him from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of £36million.
While his time at Inter had not gone exactly to plan, there was still much to suggest that Mario could be a success at the London Stadium this season.
However, much like his time in Milan, Mario has failed to get pulses racing with some abject and mediocre displays in his two months so far in east London.
In six appearances for the club Mario has registered just one assist, failing to positively impact the Hammers attack in any way, shape, or form.
More worrying even has been the club’s results with him on the pitch. David Moyes’ side have won just once in that time, beating Watford 2-0 at the London Stadium.
Aside from that, they have endured four damaging losses, including a 3-1 loss to relegation rivals Brighton in the league and an embarrassing 2-0 loss to League One side Wigan in the FA Cup.
All in all, Mario’s spell at West Ham has been totally fruitless, and one thing is now clear: the Hammers must cut ties with him this summer.
As reported by Sky Sports, the Hammers have the option to buy Mario for £26million this summer, but they must steer well clear of any such deal.
It is totally clear that Mario has lost his touch since his performances for Portugal at the Euros, and spending a club-record £26million on him would be a grave error from owners David Sullivan and David Gold, who are already under massive pressure to get good business done this summer.