The Joao Mario transfer saga seems to have no end; Inter and Sporting Lisbon continue to negotiate and the Portuguese clubs President could return to Italy shortly to continue talks.
 

The real problem of the deal is that there is still no agreement on how to breakdown the €45 milion that will change hands if the business is concluded. Inter are bound by Financial Fair-Play restrictions imposed by Uefa and in an interview with Record, the organisations Director of Communications, Pedro Pinto has confirmed that an initial loan-deal with a view to a permanent transfer would not sit well explaining that; “UEFA is in permanent contact with the club to check compliance with the rules. According to the rules of financial fair play, the loan cannot be used to circumvent the obligations entered into with the UEFA and we trust that there will not be any attempt to violate the agreements taken".  

According to Record, the 23-year-old will not be included in Sporting’s squad against Pacos de Ferreira because of the current situation regarding his future.
 

Inter meanwhile, have a back-up plan and representatives of the nerazzurri have made intial contact with the entourage of Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko; a player also identified as a possible midfield reinforcement. The Frenchman would be cheaper that Joao Mario and Inter are looking into the payment options here.
 

The key to all of this could still be the departure of Marcelo Brozovic; without the 23-year-old Croatian’s departure from the San Siro, it’s unlikely any of the two deals would go through.

Steve Mitchell @barafundler