According to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercatoweb, Southampton are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario during the January transfer window.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Calciomercatoweb report that Saints, along with English top division rivals Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham, are all keen on the 25-year-old.
The Portugal international has endured a torrid time with the Serie A giants this term having failed to play a single minute of their campaign so far, having been an unused substitute in all but one of their nine Italian top-flight fixtures.
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The report adds that Inter are keen to move the midfielder on having failed to do so during the summer, and even though they are keen to recoup as much of the €40m (£35.5m) that they paid for him as possible, they would be willing to do a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
Could Southampton sign him?
It’s difficult to say.
While there is no doubt that he would bring some much-needed creativity in the middle of the park that the south coast outfit are clearly lacking right now, any deal depends on what price or proposal Inter are looking for.
They will surely be keen to get rid of a player they clearly don’t want in January however which should strengthen Saints’ bargaining chip, and a loan with a view to buy could be a great option for Mark Hughes’ men as they currently remain on course for a second successive season battling the drop in the Premier League.
Joao Mario proved with 14 goals and 18 assists in 93 first-team appearances for Sporting Lisbon previously the quality he can bring in the final third, and that could be pivotal for a club that is once again struggling in front of goal.
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