According to a report from Tuttomercatoweb, Everton are interested in signing Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario. AS Monaco are also keen on the Portuguese, who is valued at €16 million by Inter.
Joao Mario, 26, arrived at Inter amidst a lot of fanfare from Sporting Lisbon in 2016, but he has struggled to establish himself at the Serie A club. He spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, where he did decently to help the club avoid relegation under David Moyes.
But back at Inter, the 26-year-old has started just 12 games in the Serie A this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists in the process. Mario is right to call his time at the San Siro in the summer due to lack of regular opportunities and Everton would be wise to make a move for him.
Everton have done extremely well in the second half of the season, making Goodison Park a nightmare for the opposition teams. The additions of Andre Gomes, Bernard, Richarlison, Kurt Zouma, and Lucas Digne have changed the Toffees for the better. Despite the presence of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Marco Silva’s team have lacked the cutting edge at times in their attack this campaign.
Joao Mario could potentially give more fluidity to Everton’s attacking moves, whilst doing his basic job from the middle of the park. Predominantly a no.10, the Portuguese can operate as a central midfielder, as a wide midfielder on both sides, or in an advanced role in a three-man midfield.
The most important thing is that he has played in all those positions throughout his career for both his club and country. A very good passer of the ball, the former Sporting Lisbon ace loves to take up promising positions and supply through balls and incisive passes in the final third for his teammates to feast upon.
Mario lacks pace and agility, but he makes it up with his excellent work-rate and shrewd understanding of the game. Above all, he has played for West Ham and knows what it takes to succeed in the Premier League. The Portuguese star will offer Marco Silva with the tactical flexibility that rarely any current player gives him at Goodison Park.
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While Everton should use him as a central midfield player, the versatility is just an added bonus.
Mario needs a new club to reignite his stuttering career. Everton could definitely be that club, as the Portuguese has the qualities to thrive under his compatriot in the Premier League, thereby bolstering the Merseyside outfit’s squad.