West Ham loan player Joao Mario’s future with the club hinges on the team’s plight for Premier League Survival. The attacking midfielder joined the club from Serie A’s Inter in January and has appeared five times. However, Mario could return to Inter if West Ham’s bid for EPL survival falls flat.
Is Joao Mario making a permanent move to West Ham?
Inter want to offload Mario in the offseason. However with West Ham’s EPL survival in doubt, the team is reconsidering which club it can sell the player to. Mario played 14 times for Inter before moving to East London in the winter transfer window. He tallied three assists, but overall, his time in Italy has been considered a bust by the club.
Mario spent just 18 months at Inter after arriving from Sporting CP in 2016.
West Ham were expected to make Mario’s move to the club permanent following the season. However, the team’s expected EPL survival has taken a hit. West Ham are currently 17th in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone.
Although the club was interested in making Mario a permanent player before their recent losing streak, the player’s form hasn’t won over the club’s hierarchy yet. Mario has recorded just one assist in a West Ham shirt.
According to 90Min, Inter want €40 million for the misfiring midfielder. It is a similar fee to what Inter paid Sporting for the player. West Ham have already paid a €1.10m loan fee for Mario.
If West Ham aren’t interested in Mario’s permanent signature, Inter may work out a swap deal with rivals Roma. Inter have eyed Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman and could use Mario as a make-weight.
Although Inter want Strootman, is unlikely Roma would part with one of their key players. It is also unlikely Roma would accept a deal for Mario based on his current form.
