Why West Ham should consider re-signing former loanee Joao Mario
According to claims from Portuguese outlet O Jogo (h/t Chronicle Live), West Ham are one of the Premier League clubs said to be interested in securing the services of out-of-favour Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario.
Newcastle United have already made an approach for the 27-year-old while Premier League newcomers Leeds United have also been credited with an interest in the Portuguese international. (O Jogo h/t Chronicle Live)
As per the report, Mario doesn’t feature in Antonio Conte’s plans at the San Siro, and Inter Milan are looking at a fee of around £13million to cash in on the Euro 2016 winner.
Profile
Born in Portugal to parents of Angolan descent, Joao Mario shot to prominence with Sporting Lisbon in his homeland after making his senior debut during the 2011-12 season. The versatile central midfielder went on to accumulate 14 goals and 18 assists in 93 appearances for his boyhood club in all competitions before completing a move to Inter Milan back in 2016.
However, Mario’s spell in Italy hasn’t really been all that productive. The Portuguese stalwart has found himself in and out of the first-team mix at the San Siro, partly due to stiff competition for places. The midfielder has only managed a paltry 69 appearances for Inter in all competitions, although he has still accumulated a decent tally of 4 goals and 13 assists.
The 27-year-old spent the second half of the 2017-18 campaign on loan at West Ham in the Premier League, scoring twice and registering an assist in 14 appearances. Mario also had a loan spell at Lokomotiv Moscow, picking up a goal and 6 assists in 22 appearances. He also impressed in the Champions League.
Mario has unfinished business at West Ham
It was a real shame that West Ham opted against completing a permanent deal for Joao Mario back in the summer of 2017. The Portuguese international had caught the eye during the course of his half-season loan spell in East London.
However, the Hammers now have a second chance to make amends and bring the midfielder back to the London Stadium, with Inter Milan ready to get him off their books for a rather modest fee of £13million.
The arrival of Tomas Soucek has added a fair bit of steel to West Ham’s midfield but signing an established international like Mario would still make a lot of sense. Mark Noble is nearing the latter stages of his career at 33 while Declan Rice’s future remains up in the air amid links to Chelsea.
Given that the likes of Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals haven’t really made a big impact over the past year or so, Joao Mario’s versatility to play in attacking and deep-lying roles in the midfield could hand a massive boost to West Ham’s dynamics.
A tried and tested performer at the highest level with a good track record of goals and assists, Mario looks more than capable of adding depth and quality to the Hammers’ midfield unit.
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Verdict
Joao Mario still has several years remaining in his prime at 27 and Inter Milan’s paltry asking price presents an excellent opportunity for West Ham to re-sign their former loanee. Plus, he has a fair bit of knowledge about the club, having previously spent time on loan at the London Stadium. That should make it easier for him to settle down quickly and make an instant impact.
