João Mario set to be latest member to join foreign Portuguese contingent?

Initial contact for the signing of João Mario has been made.

The Portuguese international is currently on the books of Italian outfit Inter Milan after joining from Sporting CP for 40 million euros in the summer of 2016, but the move has not been as productive as expected.

And now, a proposal of 25 million euros has been tabled for the 26-year old midfielder by AS Monaco, according to Sky Sports.

Monaco already boast a strong Portuguese contingent, with Portuguese manager Leonardo Jardim joined at the club by compatriots Rony Lopes, Gil Dias and Dinis Almeida, while Gelson Martins was on loan at the club last season and is expected to stay on a permanent basis.

Adrien Silva, meanwhile, was also on loan at the French outfit last campaign, and could still potentially make that move permanent this summer.

Gelson Martins was one player that was able to rejuvenate his career at Monaco - and if Mario were to join him, he will be hoping the move will have a similar impact.

It is believed that Inter are not keen on loaning out the Portuguese international again, and would rather offload him permanently - but a loan with an obligation to buy is also a possibility.

Monaco’s interest in Mario has been well documented for some time, but now it seems to have been taken to another level, with Monaco tabling a genuine proposition for Inter to consider.

Joao Mario. Photo author: Антон Зайцев. License link.