The Daily Mail, reporting via Gazzetta dello Sport, are claiming that Joao Mario could be available to Wolves for £24 million this summer.
Inter Milan’s Mario spent part of last season on loan at West Ham, and whilst he failed to set the Premier League alight, he turned in some impressive performances at the London Stadium.
His decent spell in England maintained his place in the international set up too, and Mario represented Portugal at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Apparently, none of this has done anything to convince Inter Milan that they ought to hang on to the 25-year-old.
Wolves’ interest in the attacking midfielder is understandable, and the reported £24 million fee is fair considering the player’s £20.7 million Transfermarkt valuation.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo should consider a move for another of this World Cup’s eye-catching performers first though.
The Breakdown
Hakim Ziyech was a bright spark in Morocco’s ultimately disappointing World Cup campaign. His strong showings on the world stage displayed the attacking and playmaking abilities that he has been showcasing at Ajax for the last 2 seasons.
Ziyech can score goals and create them and possesses excellent technical ability. He is also a hard worker, with great fitness levels, and as the World Cup demonstrated, willing to do his defensive duties and capable of playing within a very defined system.
Having spent his entire career in the Eredivisie, the 25-year-old may now be ready for a new challenge.
He’ll be desperate to prove he has the quality to step up to the Premier League, and if he can, then his explosive, direct style of play would be a great fit at Wolves.
Transfermarkt value Ziyech at £22.5 million, and if Wolves can attract him to Molineux for a similar figure to that being touted for Mario, then the Ajax man would be the better option.
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