Chelsea join Manchester United in race to sign Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Mario as Blues negotiate fee with agent
Blues hoping to strike big-money deal to beat former boss Jose Mourinho to the signing of highly-rated Portugal international
CHELSEA have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon star Joao Mario, according to reports.
The Portuguese central midfielder is a wanted man this summer after an impressive season under Jorge Jesus and is expected to start for his country at Euro 2016 alongside Monaco’s Joao Moutinho.
Sporting narrowly missed out on the league title to Benfica by just two points, but Mario’s fine form has put a number of top European sides on alert after scoring five goals in 27 appearances.
United are interested in snapping up the 23-year-old, with incoming boss Jose Mourinho said to be a big fan as he looks to make an immediate impact at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils missed out on Benfica’s Renato Sanches to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and are now looking to make Mario one of their first signings in the transfer window.
But newspaper A Bola claims that United face a fight to land the ex-Porto youngster after Chelsea met with his agent Kia Joorabchian.
The Iranian, famous for bringing Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham in 2006, helped the Blues land young American defender Matt Miazga and Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato in January.
And he apparently met with representatives from Chelsea in Lisbon in order to negotiate a fee for Mario.
The player is claimed to have a release clause worth £46million, and Antonio Conte could be tempted to meet it as the Blues search for more steel in midfield.
However, the report adds that United have already contacted Sporting with the intention of paying the full £46m, meaning that Chelsea could be forced to act quickly.
But one man who wants Mario to snub the duo is compatriot Jose Fonte, who has urged his Portugal teammate to instead join Southampton.
He told Mais Futebol: “He’s a great player with great quality, he’s said to be going to England and has the quality for Manchester United or Chelsea. I’ll make everything so he can come to Southampton. Let’s see.”