West Ham strike deal to sign Joao Mario on loan

With Manuel Lanzini now sidelined by a hamstring injury, West Ham’s need for a new midfielder has never been greater.

Out-of-favour Inter Milan star Joao Mario has been on the club’s radar this month and it appears as if the club have made the push to get a deal over the line.

Portuguese source O Jogo state that West Ham have agreed a deal with Inter Milan to take the 25-year-old on loan for the rest of the season.

West Ham are ready to pay Inter a loan fee of £1.5m and are willing to cover a portion of the Euro 2016 winner’s wages, and the deal includes an option to make the move permanent in the summer for £20m.

The biggest stumbling block in this move has been convincing the former Sporting Lisbon star to swap Serie A for the Premier League and West Ham.

Jose Fonte is attempting to convince his international teammate to join him at the London Stadium amid interest from Everton in his services.