Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Reports in Italy: Chelsea and Inter Milan target plays last game, £39m transfer tomorrow
CHELSEA target Joao Mario was given a warm send-off from Sporting Lisbon fans last night as the midfielder gets set to leave the club.
Joao Mario played possibly his final game for Sporting yesterday
The Sporting academy product was subbed off with a minute to go to a standing ovation in their 2-0 win over Maritimo.
However, reports have emerged claiming Chelsea are likely to miss out on the signing.
The Blues are thought to have lodged a £39million bid for Mario, who helped Portugal win Euro 2016 this summer.
“At times there are deals that must be done,” Sporting’s president Bruno de Carvalho said before their match with Maritimio yesterday, which is expected to be Mario’s last for the club.
“And if there is the opportunity to do a deal that doesn’t put our objectives into doubt, then Sporting must be ready to listen to proposals.”
Inter are believed to have offered £34.5m for Mario with £4.3m in add-ons.
Cesc Fabregas Horror Foul & Red Card ● Chelsea vs Liverpool July 27, 2016.mp4
As for Chelsea, Express Sport understands manager Antonio Conte still has £140m to spend on transfers and is pushing the Blues board to secure deals.
The boss wants to land Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, who could cost as much as £75m, and is also eyeing a £50m swoop for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?