Chelsea challenge Liverpool for Joao Mario
Chelsea have made a £39million bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Mario, according to reports.
Portuguese newspaper Jornal De Noticias claim Mario's agent Kia Joorabchian delivered the offer along with a matching bid from Inter Milan which also included £4m in bonuses.
The report says Sporting are leaning towards accepting the Blues' bid because the Premier League club will reportedly pay more of the money upfront.
Mario is also said to favour a move to the Premier League but Noticias claim he is currently fully focused on Sporting.
The Portugal international, however, is not against a move away from the Estadio Jose Alvalade and is merely awaiting for the clubs to agree terms.
Chelsea may not be the only Premier League club in for the 23-year-old, with reports in Portugal suggesting Liverpool are also interested.
Source: Daily Express
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