Chelsea have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Sporting CP and Portugal star Joao Mario.
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Sporting Lisbon, who finished second behind Benfica last season, start their campaign by hosting Maritimo.
Mario is a man in demand this summer and Sporting Lisbon have already knocked back a bid from Liverpool for the midfielder.
“If nothing happens before the game then he [Mario] will play for us, it is simple”, he said. Sporting have to defend their jewels to the end.
Joao Mario was one of Portugal’s key players in their EURO2016 triumph, starring for Sporting Lisbon as well by bagging seven goals to his name, and providing 12 assists last season.
Similarly to Inter’s deal with Marcelo Brozovic, with who they finalised their acquisition this off-season, the Italian giant will pay an initial loan fee of €10m before paying the remaining amount during the next off-season.
Despite being unwilling to lose a player who is vital to Jesus’ plans, the manager is accepting that this is how football works in this day and age.
“He is a player targeted by clubs who have higher economic power than us. Sporting decide on the player’s future, all I can say is we have great professionals”, he added.
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On the other hand, coach Frank de Boer and the club are waiting on the last details of the deal to be confirmed and will await the player’s arrival in Milan, which is now scheduled for Monday.
