Joao Mario’s father has claimed that Liverpool have seen a €40 million offer for the Portugal midfielder rejected.
The 23-year-old excelled for his country this summer as they were crowned Euro 2016 champions and has reportedly not gone unnoticed by both the Reds and Inter Milan.
Jurgen Klopp is thought to be eyeing Joao Mario to fill the void left by Joe Allen’s move to Stoke City but has been denied by Sporting Lisbon.
“Proposals don’t come directly to me. They go to his agent, Kia Joorabchian, and the Sporting president,” Joao Mario Sr told Diario de Noticias.
“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.”