Chelsea have made a strong bid for Sporting Lisbon star Joao Mario, as The Blues feel need for one more profilic midfielder this summer.
According to Portuguese newspaper Jornal De Noticias, Mario’s agent Kia Joorabchian has delivered a €45m (£39m) bid for Sporting Lisbon, and a matching offer from Serie A side Inter Milan.
However, Chelsea are regarded as front-runners in this race, as they are able to pay more money up-front, which Sporting obviously prefer.
Mario himself would prefer a switch to the Premier League, but is currently fully committed to his club, and won’t stand in the way of a move, should Sporting agree a deal.
Liverpool have also shown major interest for the 23-year-old midfielder, and are reportedly ready to trade Mario for Mario, as they’re plotting a swap deal including Premier League flop Mario Balotelli to the offer.
Joao Mario was one of Portugal’s key players in their EURO2016 triumph, starring for Sporting Lisbon as well by bagging seven goals to his name, and providing 12 assists last season.
