West Ham have been handed a huge boost ahead of the summer transfer window after Inter Milan loanee and January arrival João Mário expressed his willingness to make him temporary deal permanent at the end of the campaign.
The 25-year-old Portugal international midfielder has earned himself a starting berth in manager David Moyes’ XI since completing a move to the London Stadium last month, playing the last 2 league games and assisting the only goal of the 3-1 loss to Brighton.
West Ham signed Mario for a loan fee of £1.3million, with an option to buy permanently for £35million, and the early signs are promising.
Following a lack of regular game time at San Siro, the Portuguese playmaker is looking beyond the end of his current loan deal, and did tell Sky Sports: “At the end of the season I may stay here. I want to help West Ham stay in the Premier League, I want to show the fans what my value is.”
The former Sporting CP star featured prominently as Portugal won the European Championships 2 summers ago, and remains highly rated despite his disappointing spell at Inter.
Mario has everything to play for ahead of the World Cup, and the prospects of signing the talented man permanently would excite the West Ham faithful.
