Agent Kia Joorabchian has confirmed that Liverpool did indeed offer €40million for Portugal international winger Joao Mario. In the last few days, the player’s father had mentioned that the Reds had bid for the Sporting Lisbon star.
Talking exclusively to Portuguese newspaper Record, Joorabchian said that there were 4 teams interested in the 23 year old with Inter Milan bidding €35m and the Reds bidding €40m:
“Sporting received four proposals. Inter Milan and Liverpool, definitely, with values between 35 and 40 million, plus bonuses. Sporting refused all offers. From now on, we’re discussing a new contract or sale.”
The last part of the quote seems like Joorabchian is losing patience with Sporting regarding the player being offered a new deal to stay in Portugal. The other teams involved in bidding for Mario are believed to be Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, according to Record, and the player’s future still looks uncertain with his agent talking openly to the press about bids from other clubs. It could very likely be a negotiating tactic on Joorabchian’s part, and after the arrivals of both Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum at Anfield, it looks unlikely the Reds will bid again for the player.
