Inter would consider Joao Mario swap if Mkhitaryan were involved

There have been many rumours in the past few days suggesting that Italian giants Inter Milan and Premier League super club Manchester United could be set for a spectacular player swap, but perhaps not for the players originally reported. Jose Mourinho still wants midfielder Joao Mario, but, according to the Guardian, Inter are not interested in Juan Mata, but instead want the misfiring Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The Italian club spent €40m on Mario in 2016, but have yet to see the kind of form that tempted them to bring him in from Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese international has made 11 appearances in the Serie A this season, and is yet to find the back of the net, while registering just three assists so far. He also only bagged three goals in 30 showings during the last campaign.

Manchester United meanwhile are in the market for a new midfielder with Michael Carrick set to retire at the end of the season, and Marouane Fellaini’s future in doubt. They may well be keen to offload Mkhitaryan, who has scored just once all season, prompting Mourinho to drop him in recent weeks.