Report: Chelsea preparing bid for Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Mario

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a summer bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Mario.

The 23-year-old played a key role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph and also impressed for Sporting last season – scoring seven times in 45 appearances for the Portuguese outfit.

According to O Jogo, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who led Italy this summer, personally scouted Mario during the European Championships and has given the go-ahead on a £33m move for the versatile midfielder.

Mario, who has 18 Portuguese caps to his name, joined Sporting in 2004 and has made 75 first-team appearances for the Green and Whites.