Sporting CP released a statement warning they will take legal action against Inter after Joao Mario signed for Benfica.
When Inter first purchased the player from Sporting in 2016, it had a clause forcing the Nerazzurri to pay up to €30m if they sold him to any other Portuguese club.
Because of that, he terminated his contract with Inter yesterday and then signed for Benfica as a free agent.
However, Sporting released a statement this afternoon warning they see through this tactic and will take legal action.
“Inter refused our proposal, they rescinded the contract with Joao Mario in order to get him to sign for Benfica,” read the statement.
“It is our belief that this workaround was used to avoid a clause signed in 2016. We will defend the interests of the club and sue for damages caused by the violation of these agreements.
“In 2016, Inter and Joao Mario accepted the clause to pay an extra €30m in case of sale to another Portuguese club.”
Joao Mario spent last season on loan at Sporting and they had tried to purchase him for €3.5m.
Benfica offered €7.5m, but with the clause present and the player seemingly with his heart set on this option, Inter preferred to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
Comunicado #SportingCP – SAD sobre a transferência do jogador João Mário.
https://t.co/CACHSb7sRN pic.twitter.com/UrqJF5IMJR
— Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) July 13, 2021