West Ham have a host of planned transfer activity on the agenda this summer and they could move to bring a familiar face to the London Stadium.
The Hammers continue to chase Portugal international Joao Mario as a permanent signing after he spent the second half of last term on-loan from Inter Milan.
An issue is the Italian side’s valuation of the midfielder, who is currently preparing for the World Cup with his national side, but he’s made it very clear he’s seeking a transfer.
Speaking to Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport, Mario said:
“I will not go back to Inter.”
“The truth is that I don’t like Serie A. I don’t want to try again. I don’t have the necessary motivation, it’s an experience that’s over, no doubt.”
“I’m not angry, I’m taking stock of the year and a half I spent in Milan. The idea is clear: I will not go back.”
“I’m just honest, there’s no fire inside me to rekindle with the Nerazzurri. When I arrived, I was fired-up for a project which seemed to be taking off, too bad it didn’t go that way.”
“Who is to blame? Everyone and no one. Inter and the environment there, probably all of Italian football, is not for me. It would be pointless to go back to Appiano Gentile [after the World Cup], even if I have a contract until 2021.”
“I hope we can find a solution as soon as possible, maybe even before the end of the World Cup. In football, as in life, one must be honest in understanding when things end. And with Inter it’s over.”
