Italian giants Inter Milan are plotting to launch a stunning swap deal involving Joao Mario and Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele in a bid to capture the Belgian’s signing, according to Calcio Mercato.
The website claim that Inter are desperate to capture the 30-year-old from Spurs this summer with his contract in north London set to expire next summer, leaving Daniel Levy facing the decision to sell up or lose his star for nothing.
It is stated that the Tottenham chief has set a £26.3million (€30million – source: XE) price tag on the head of the Lilywhites favourite, and in a bid to avoid sanctions from the financial fair play rules, are willing to offer 25-year-old Mario in exchange, having spent the second half of last season on loan to West Ham.
However the battle for Dembele is reportedly heating up, with two Chinese clubs reportedly joining Inter in the hunt.
Good move for Tottenham?
It is a strange offer for Inter Milan to be making to Tottenham, for Mario and Dembele are completely different players.
The Spurs man has established himself as one of the most all round midfield performers in the top flight, with his physicality and might offset by brilliant ball control and technique.
Mario is very much an attacking midfielder and will not get the dirty work done in the way the Belgian does, and with Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli already starring up top, the Portuguese international would struggle for game time.
With numerous clubs said to be chasing Dembele, Daniel Levy can afford to bide his time and wait for the right offer, and a swap for Mario just is not in Spurs’ interests.
This is Futbol rating: 2/10
Likely to happen?
Fans can be sure that Levy will be thinking the same way as them, in that Mario is not only the wrong sort of player to be bringing in but would be a step down from their current options.
Inter might be desperate to take Dembele to Italy but if they cannot show the Spurs chief the colour of their cash, then there will be no deal forthcoming.
This is Futbol rating: 1/10