Inter Milan finally seem on the verge of landing two transfer targets they have been pursuing for the last month, in Joao Mario and Gabriel Barbosa. Joao Mario stormed into the limelight after a stellar Euro 2016 campaign with Portugal, with his energetic presence in midfield and down the flanks and has been on the Italian giants minds for a considerable while.
Negotiations with Sporting Lisbon, have been immensely difficult, though, and the restrictions imposed on Inter Milan themselves by Uefa’s Financial Fair play haven’t helped either.
In a major breakthrough, Gianluca Di Marzio, the Sky Italia journalist reports that Joao Mario is now expected in Milan in the late afternoon (Italian time) to have a tour of the club’s facilities and possibly have a medical with the Nerazzurri as early as tomorrow. The Portuguese international spent 8 years with the Sporting youth academy before becoming one of the most prominent players of the first team. He can play in the center of midfield, and also on the right flank and his versatility is a key asset of his game.
While the final terms of the deal haven’t been reported as of now, the figures were last pegged at a total of around €45 million euros. This will most likely be broken up into a loan for the first year, an obligation to buy the 23-year-old next year as well as performance incentive bonuses.
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Meanwhile, Gabriel Barbosa, the Brazilian wonderkid who has drawn bids from Juventus and also serious interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich is also expected to land in Milan imminently. Gabriel should land in Milan even before Joao Mario, and also take his medicals tomorrow should everything proceed according to plan.
His transfer fee will also be broken into allocations to his club and the player himself and should total around €25 million. The Brazilian is apparently keen on staying on in Brazil (after the deal is closed) until January but the Inter management will attempt to convince him to join their club immediately.
Landing both these high profile youngsters will represent a great coup for Inter Milan, and give two crucial presents to their new coach Frank de Boer. Inter forward Stevan Jovetic meanwhile is reported to be on his way out of the San Siro club, and their Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic may soon follow.
