Liverpool’s £33.5m bid for Euro 2016 star revealed

Posted by

We’ve been heavily linked with a number of midfielders this summer, and it’s now been revealed that we’ve had a £33.5m (€40m) bid rejected for Euro 2016 winner Joao Mario (via the Echo).

Sporting Lisbon have apparently turned down two bids for the midfielder already, with Inter Milan making an offer of €35m plus €10m in add ons, followed by our bid of €40m up front.

His father and agent let news of the bids slip, talking to a Portuguese publication about his son’s situation.

“Proposals for the lad don’t come directly to me,” Mario’s father told Diario de Noticias (via the Echo).

“They go to his agent, Kia Joorabchian, and the Sporting president. I was informed, however, that the club said no to €35m plus €10m in bonuses from Inter and to €40m from Liverpool

“Nothing particular has happened, my son is a professional and knows he has a contract with Sporting.

“At the same time, we’re talking about a very valuable player for the club, who would aspire to bigger projects in the course of his career.”

Although he’s remaining civil, professional, and polite, the Euro 2016 winner’s father is clearly unhappy about the situation. He obviously feels the club are holding Mario back somewhat by refusing to listen to offers, and it could potentially cause problems.

SEE MORE:
Liverpool transfer news

The player may well be looking to force his way out of Sporting, and if Jurgen Klopp is still looking for another midfielder then that could open the door for us. They are clearly unwilling to sell at the moment, but if the player kicks up enough of a fuss then they may have no choice.

Is he what we need at this point though? There are arguably far more important positions which need strengthening.

More Stories Inter Milan Joao Mario Sporting Lisbon