Liverpool’s €40m bid for Manchester United and Chelsea target rejected

Liverpool have reportedly had a €40m offer rejected in their attempts to sign Portugal international forward Joao Mario this summer, according to Football Italia (via soccerlens).

The Premier League side, who visit Arsenal during the opening weekend of the upcoming 2016/17 English top-flight campaign on August 14, have been linked with the Sporting Lisbon winger ahead of the new term.

The 23-year-old; who has 18 international caps for Portugal and starred for his country during this month’s EURO 2016 finals in France, where they beat the hosts 1-0 (after extra-time) in the final, scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions for the Liga NOS outfit last season.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Mario, who is also thought to be attracting interest from fellow Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea, is wanted by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp following his impressive European Championship displays.

However the report suggests that Liverpool’s €40m offer for the midfielder was rejected by Sporting, according to the player’s father.

He said, “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.”