Inter playmaker Mario ponders West Ham loan move

West Ham United are attempting to sign Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario on loan. An agreement is understood to have been reached between the clubs. However, the Portugal international is weighing up the move, and sources suggest he may have a “number of options” to consider and is asking for time.

Inter are keen to loan Mario, who cost £39.8 million from Sporting Lisbon in the biggest transfer involving a Portuguese club, but has grown frustrated at his lack of playing time.

Mario featured for Portugal during their Euro 2016 triumph and made a move from Sporting to Inter, ahead of a host of other clubs, that summer. The attacking midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in the past.

Inter do not want to sell him at this time, but hope to secure regular first-team football for the 24-year-old, and would like him to join a Premier League club. Mario has played a bit-part role this season, with coach Luciano Spalletti preferring Marcelo Brozovic.

David Moyes, the West Ham manager, has targeted strengthening his midfield as a priority, and is willing to sell forwards in order to help finance deals.

West Ham were knocked back at the start of the window after enquiring about Stoke City’s Joe Allen, and are interested in several other players. The club are prepared to listen to offers for Diafra Sakho and Javier Hernandez, and are aware of Chelsea’s interest in Andy Carroll.

They are prepared to sell Carroll, but West Ham would want to take Chelsea’s Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi on loan.