Chelsea consider €40m bid for Manchester United target

Chelsea are reportedly ready to bid €40m in their attempts to sign EURO 2016 winner Joao Mario this summer, according to O Jogo (via zerozero.pt).

The Premier League side, who could only finish tenth in the English top-flight standings last term during their thoroughly miserable defence of their 2014/15 title, have been linked with a move for the Sporting Lisbon winger ahead of the forthcoming 2016/17 campaign.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

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 on Sunday, scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions for the Liga NOS outfit last season.

Joao Mario, who is also a reported target for Premier League rivals Manchester United, has become a target for new Blues boss Antonio Conte given the Portuguese player’s all-round ability.

The report suggests that the Red Devils’ pursuit of Paul Pogba has opened the door for Chelsea to land the forward after meeting his agent back in May.