Portuguese international Joao Mario spent the second half of last season on loan with West Ham, beginning to impress towards the end of the campaign.
Even now David Moyes has departed and Manuel Pellegrini seeks to oversee the brave new era Hammers fans were promised when they moved to the London Stadium, the club is still reportedly interested in the pacy wideman.
However, it is suggested that the £24.5m (28m euros) being quoted for his signature is putting off the East London club, despite it not being too far above his Transfermarkt valuation of £22.5m.
As Mario gears up for this summer’s World Cup, he played in a pre-tournament friendly against England’s opening opponent Tunisia, as the African outfit pegged back the European champions to a 2-2 draw.
The winger put in the kind of performance that, if replicated on the bigger stage in Russia next month, could see that valuation escalate.
He netted the hosts’ second goal of the game from one of his three shots, putting them 2-0 ahead. His all-round game was solid as well, making two interceptions and tackles, to go with a reliable 83% passing accuracy.
West Ham might regret it if they dally pre-World Cup only to find an increased interest and asking price if Mario impresses at the World Cup.
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