da apostebet： West Ham United boss David Moyes is eyeing a reunion with a player he signed back in 2018, though the ship may have sailed with his exploits these days…
What’s the word?
da betobet： According to O Jogo, the Irons are one of the teams interested in signing Inter Milan flop Joao Mario this transfer window with the midfielder unlikely to have much of a future under Antonio Conte.
They claim that the Nerazzurri are asking for around €13m (£12m) for his signature with Leeds United and Newcastle United also keen.
Joao Mario joined the Hammers on loan in January 2018 and provided two goals and one assist in 14 appearances.
Not the solution
If the club want to appease fans by finding a suitable Grady Diangana replacement, then it’s probably not going to be in the form of the 27-year-old particularly as many weren’t pleased with his performances during that loan stint.
The Portuguese midfielder went out temporarily once again last season, joining Lokomotiv Moscow where he managed one goal and four assists as well as 2.5 key passes per match, via WhoScored.
Joao Mario has never been able to hold down a place in Inter Milan’s side despite a €45m move four years ago and perhaps his versatility is indeed the weakness as he can play wide as well as centrally.
In the past, he’s been compared to former Spurs brute Mousa Dembele yet Moyes sometimes played him on either wing, thus adding to the uncertainty, though the 57-year-old is evidently a fan, he once said:
“[Joao Mario] brings a little bit of flair, he’s good on the ball, and a bit of natural talent. What goes unnoticed is that he’s actually a really hard-working boy as well.”
However, the warning signs are there. If Moscow didn’t want to keep him, then there’s no reason why the Irons should push for a return here. It would be a massive gamble, that’s for sure.
AND in other news, West Ham could eye Tarkowski alternative in £12m “accident waiting to happen”…