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West Ham to be priced out of Mario deal

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West Ham United are set to walk away from a permanent deal for attacking midfielder Joao Mario this summer, according to the Mirror. 

The newspaper report in their live transfer blog (Tuesday, 12:47) that Serie A giants Inter Milan have slapped a £30million price tag on the 25-year-old Portugal international playmaker.

The Mirror claim that this could see the Hammers priced out of any deal for Mario this summer, despite the ace impressing for the club in the final few games of the season.

Good move for West Ham?

A permanent deal for Mario would be a good move for the Hammers, with the Portuguese dynamo really coming into his own in the final few weeks of the season.

The 25-year-old put in a brilliant performance in their final-day victory over Everton, linking up nicely with Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini, ending the season with two goals in 13 Premier League appearances.

It is a shame for both club and player that the season had to end just as Mario was finding some form, and a permanent deal would allow him to continue that resurgence next season.

However, £30million is a steep price to pay, and one that the club may still view as too much of a risk.

Forever West Ham rating: 7/10

Likely to happen?

It looks like £30million may be a step too far for the Hammers board, who need to be spot on with their spending this summer.

While Mario has now had time to get used to the Premier League and to England, his return of just two goals is probably deemed insufficient for that kind of money.

Forever West Ham rating: 3/10

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