Joao Mario hardly set the world alight during his time with us, and did not value the efforts of the London Stadium faithful, but the Portugal international could hold the key to our chances of signing Edin Dzeko, according to Calciomercato.
Dzeko recently stated, as per the Italian media, that he would be rejecting our advances in favour of a move to Inter Milan, but the Nerazzurri cannot reach AS Roma’s valuation for the Bosnia-Herzegovina captain.
That is why Calciomercato believe Inter could offer the Giallorossi Mario as part of a player-plus-cash arrangement, in order to bridge the €10million (£8.6m) difference in their previous offer and the Stadio Olimpico native’s €25m (£21.6m) asking price.
If our former on-loan midfielder, who made 14 appearances in Claret and Blue, decided to reject the move, it could scupper Inter’s, and Dzeko’s, hopes of a deal for the veteran striker. However, the Nerazzurri have another ace up their sleeve, as they could also use Radja Niangollan as a make-way.
The Belgian only moved from the Italian capital to the San Siro in the summer, but he has been unable to make the fashion capital his home and has spoken openly on his desires to return to Rome.
If the £27million-rated Niangollan was used to sign Dzeko, it would certainly be a puzzling decision money wise, as Inter gave Roma £21millon, along with Davide Santon and Nicolo Zaniolo, in order to get the move over the line last summer.
Roma offering Inter further compensation on top of Dzeko could always navigate this, but the Giallorossi are also in needs of raising funds this summer, which could leave the Hammers in a prime position to take the striker out of Italy and reconnect him with Manuel Pellegrini.
