Liverpool have had a €40 million (£33 million) bid for Sporting Lisbon and Portugal star Joao Mario turned down by his club.
According to Portuguese paper Diario de Noticias (h/t Richard Amofa of the Telegraph), the 23-year-old's father has spoken out about interest in his son and admitted he could be tempted by a bigger club after bids from the Reds and Inter Milan:
""Proposals for the lad don’t come directly to me.
They go to his agent, Kia Joorabchian, and the Sporting president.
I was informed, however, that the club said no to €35 million plus €10 million in bonuses from Inter and to €40 million from Liverpool
Nothing particular has happened, my son is a professional and knows he has a contract with Sporting.
At the same time, we’re talking about a very valuable player for the club, who would aspire to bigger projects in the course of his career.
Mario featured for Portugal as they swept to the Euro 2016 title and his stock has risen since the end of last season.
The player moved from Porto to Sporting to further his education as a youth talent, and he has not looked back since becoming a first-team regular.
Mario is a versatile individual who can play across the spectrum of midfield roles and would be a huge asset to Jurgen Klopp if he arrives on Merseyside.
The player featured in 33 games in the Portuguese Primeira Liga for Sporting last term, also adding six goals to his contribution, according to WhoScored.com.
Here is a video of Mario in action:
According to Pilar Lopez of Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star), Manchester United have been monitoring the dynamo, whom Chelsea also desire.
Claudio Colla of TransferMarketWeb previously reported the midfielder has a £51 million release clause but could be available at £34 million—close to Liverpool's recent bid.
Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe has said he appreciates the skill Mario brings to a match:
In other news, Brazilian starlet Allan Rodrigues de Souza is set for a loan move to Hertha Berlin, according to Amofa.
The Telegraph writer reported the teenage talent will make the temporary switch to Germany to further his career and opportunities.
The 19-year-old came to Liverpool in a £500,000 deal from Internacional in 2015 after impressing the club's coaches at the Frenz International Cup.
However, Allan has been unable to play with the first team due to work-permit problems. A season-long loan is now expected, and the midfielder is training with his new club.
Mario would be a quality purchase by Klopp if the German can revisit his bid and tempt Sporting to part with one of their best players.
The Merseyside giants are in need of a world-class player in the centre, and Mario has the capability to grow into the role.
Klopp will want to take his side to the next level after an inconsistent first 12 months at the helm, and the addition of top players is essential before the beginning of the season.
However, Liverpool will not be the only team after the midfielder. Mario also meets the needs of United and Chelsea, and both teams will chase the player if he emerges onto the market.
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