West Ham in talks to sign João Mário from Internazionale on loan

West Ham are in talks with Internazionale over signing the midfielder João Mário on loan after losing Manuel Lanzini for six weeks to injury.

Lanzini has ruptured a hamstring, prompting West Ham to step up their pursuit of João Mário, who is not a regular starter at Inter under Luciano Spalletti and whose future has been cast further into doubt by the arrival of Rafinha from Barcelona.

West Ham have offered to pay João Mário’s wages in full and are seeking a compromise over the size of the loan fee for the Portugal international, whom they regard as capable of playing in a variety of midfield roles. Real Betis’s Fabián is another player under consideration.

The Premier League club’s need for creative reinforcements is stark, with Marko Arnautovic also struggling with a hamstring problem, Andy Carroll out for months after foot surgery and Michael Antonio working his way back to full fitness after a month on the sidelines with a groin injury.