English Premier League giants Chelsea FC are preparing a €40 million summer swoop for Sporting CP midfielder Joao Mario as the Portugal international impressed head coach Antonio Conte with his play during the Euro 2016 tournament.
The 23-year-old midfielder native is a key part of the Portugal national squad that won the recently concluded 2016 UEFA European Championship. He was a regular starter for head coach Fernando Santos along with team captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Renato Sanches, Raphael Guerreiro, and Rui Patricio, bringing stability and versatility in the A Seleção midfield line.
And because of that, he attracted the interest of Conte, who coached the Italy national team in the said tournament.
The Stamford Bridge residents are now reportedly "set to bid €40 million as they look to bolster their squad ahead of next season", according to Goal.
Aside from playing in top form with the Portuguese team, Mario has also recorded new personal career-highs of six domestic goals in 33 appearances in the Primeira Liga during the last term and seven goal overall in all competitions in 45 games for the Lions, which made him a top transfer target this summer window nonetheless, Caught Offside indicated.
The 5-foot-10 Porto, Portugal native began his senior career in 2011 already with Sporting as he also came from the club's youth academy. His first full season as a senior was in 2012-2013 as he spent the previous one in the practice squad.
He spent the 2013-2014 season on loan to fellow Primeira Liga side Vitória FC, playing in 15 scoreless games where he did not find enough opportunities to excel.
Mario began to find more first team time when he went back with the Lisbon residents during the 2014-2015 season. He appeared more regularly at that time, playing in 30 games in the Portuguese top flight and scoring five goals in the process.
By last season, he was already a regular first team and starting eleven member, helping the club finish a close second to SL Benfica at the conclusion of the 2015-2016 season on his way to becoming a starter with the Portugal national team as well.
Recent reports were out that Inter Milan is also targeting him for €50 million, although English transfer rules may prevent them from pulling off a deal with such amount.