West Ham look to pull off audacious move for Inter outcast

West Ham have entered the race to sign Inter midfielder Joao Mario on loan for the remainder of the season, claims French outlet RMC Sport.

David Moyes wants to bolster his midfield options this month and has already failed with bids for Bournemouth’s Harry Arter, Valencia’s Francis Coquelin and Stoke ace Joe Allen.

The Hammers have now turned their attentions to signing Mario on an initial loan deal, although the Portugal international is not particularly keen on the move at the moment.

Mario has endured a frustrating 18-month spell at Inter after becoming the club’s second most expensive signing of all-time in a deal worth €45m (£39.8m).

The 24-year-old has dropped even further down the pecking order under Luciano Spalletti this season and will almost certainly have to leave this month in order to cement a place in Portugal’s midfield for the 2018 World Cup.

Manchester United have already been linked with a move for Mario this month and it would be some coup if West Ham could pull off a deal for the Inter No.10.

Mario has only started five Serie A games for Inter this season but the Italian giants are unbeaten in those matches, winning three.

However, during his time in Italy, Inter have a marginally better win ratio without Mario in the starting XI (54.8%) compared to when he has featured from the off (51.9%).