Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Mario is a transfer target for Manchester United, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola.
Having seen oft-scouted Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches, aged 18, agree a move to German champions Bayern Munich yesterday, the Red Devils have reportedly turned their attention to Lisbon rivals Sporting and their 23-year-old Portugal international.
The report claims Joao Mario is a transfer priority for United and that the Premier League side have been putting together detailed scouting reports on the former Porto man.
They are ready to launch a bid of €35m to €40m (£27m-£32m) for him. But that might not be enough to convince the Estadio Jose Alvalade hierarchy to sell. Sporting’s board are reportedly holding out for a huge €60m (£47m) fee.
That asking price is reflective of the fact that they would like to keep hold of a player who is only at the end of his second season as a first-team regular. They would like Joao Mario to stay for one more season and are ready to offer him a pay rise to make that happen.
