Sporting Lisbson will offer Joao Mario a massive new contract to prevent him going to Manchester United, according to Portuguese publication Jornal de Noticias.
The Portuguese midfielder is also on Chelsea’s radar, but United are the main Premier League club interested.
Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho has hinted previously that he wouldn’t be signing any players from his native Portugal, but that hasn’t stopped Sporting taking all the necessary precautions.
Even what they are offering, a new deal worth £20,000 a week, is a pittance compared to what he could earn at Old Trafford.
Mario is in a strange situation whereby Sporting are demanding in excess of £40million to sell him, but he does not earn the wages of a player commanding that kind of fee.
What’s most apparent is the gulf in resources between the Portuguese Primeira Liga and the English Premier League.
That alone could tempt Mario to force a move, as it’s unlikely that Sporting’s new offer will be enough.
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