United target Joao Mario ‘not worried’ about rumours

Oli Fisher
Joao Mario: Linked with Chelsea

Joao Mario: Linked with Chelsea

Manchester United target Joao Mario has spoken out about his future amid reports he has had a phonecall with incoming boss Jose Mourinho.

Starsport reported earlier in the month that United were willing to meet the player’s £45million release clause and that a series of talks had been held between the two parties.

The Portuguese international has impressed for Sporting this season, scoring seven times in 45 appearances as the Lisbon club narrowly missed out on the title.

Joao Mario did however admit that his mind is solely on the upcoming European Championships and doing well for his country.

“The only thing that interests me and worries me now regarding my future is the challenge we’ll play,” he said.

“I’m very focused, so I won’t talk about it. I’m placed in a group, my priority is to be at my best level in the Euros.

“Right now I feel calm, I feel good. It is the first time I play in the Euros, I am focused on this, if I were to think about it [transfer interest], I could not concentrate.”

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford heavily recently, and in an interview with Portugoal last month he hinted it is a possibility.

“The league I like the most and I’ve always liked the most in the English league.

“It’s the league I like the most but that doesn’t mean I think about that one alone. There are plenty of excellent leagues, the Spanish league is a great league, the German one too. I always try and watch foreign games because you can always learn something new.

“They are leagues with a different level of competitiveness, so I try and take something from every one to improve aspects of my game.”