Done Deal: Arsenal target completes transfer, personal terms agreed

According to the BBC, Joao Mario has left Sporting Lisbon to join Inter Milan in a deal worth £38.4m (45m Euros), which makes him the most expensive player to leave Lisbon in their history.

The move is also one of the biggest transfers out of the Portuguese League, just behind the fee that Colombian international attacker James Rodriguez was sold to Monaco for in 2013.

The amount for the 23-year-old was more than the Nani (£25m) and Ronaldo (£12.24m) transfers to Premier League giants Manchester United.

Mario was linked with a move to The Emirates a few months ago but manager Arsene Wenger failed to push ahead on a deal.

The Serie A giants are also in talks with Brazilian Garbriel Barbosa from Santos, and Inter’s president said:

“Mario is a very important player, who we have followed for a long time and who would enforce an already competitive squad.”

The Portugal born midfielder featured in 171 appearances for Sporting Lisbon and played all of Portugal’s games in their successful European Championship campaign in France.

Article Published: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 11:48 AM