Liverpool and Chelsea are among four clubs to have had bids rejected for in-demand Portugal midfielder Joao Mario with Inter Milan set to make another move.
The player’s father yesterday claimed in the Portuguese paper Diario de Noticias that both Liverpool and Inter had seen offers rejected for the 23-year-old.
And now the player’s agent Kia Joorabchian has confirmed those reports.
“A European champion must be rewarded,” he said. “From now on, we either discuss a new contract or the sale to another club.
“Sporting received four offers. Inter Milan and Liverpool, certainly, with amounts between 35 and 40 million, plus bonuses. Sporting turned down all bids.”
Portuguese newspaper Record claims that the other two clubs to have bids rejected were Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
Mario impressed at Euro 2016 and helped Portugal win the tournament, making six starts in the competition, including the 1-0 final win over France and that led to Jurgen Klopp lodging a €40million bid for the player, while Inter made a bid of €35million plus €10million in bonuses.
Inter could make a fresh attempt to sign Mario if they sell Stevan Jovetic to Napoli, according to reports in Italy. Sky Italia report that Inter are ready to move for former Manchester City man Jovetic for a fee of around €13million and that would prompt them to go back in for Mario, who is believed to have a €60million release clause.
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