Liverpool are still said to be one of the clubs who could be taking João Mário away from Sporting.
The Reds have returned to being mentioned by the Portuguese press and they are apparently in the race with Inter Milan to buy the 23-year-old attacker.
In an article saying that Sporting will only let one of their stars go (João Mário or Islam Slimani), Thursday’s edition of Record claim, in their Sporting section, that it was mentioned yesterday Liverpool wanted to offer money plus Mario Balotelli in exchange for the winger.
But they don’t say where this speculation came from, and with a little search, we couldn’t find it either.
In any case, Record states that Sporting are not interested in having Mario Balotelli, so Liverpool would have to find another good argument to convince them.
At the moment, João Mário seems much closer to join Inter Milan in a deal which should cost the Italian side €45 + €5m, but Liverpool have greater financial clout.
Towards the end of last month Joao Mario’s father confirmed a €40m offer from Liverpool had already been submitted, maybe they’re not willing to go any further, and the Balotelli offer, if true, was a last throw of the dice.
