Joao Mario has said he will categorically not return to Inter Milan as he seeks another move following his West Ham loan.
The Portuguese international, who is currently preparing for the World Cup in Russia this summer, joined the Hammers on loan for the second half of the season, and impressed then manager David Moyes with his performances and work rate.
Now with Manuel Pellegrini having replaced Moyes, the east Londoners remain interested in bringing Mario back to London Stadium, though there are concerns that, unless they can engineer another loan deal, an agreement on price will be hard to reach.
However, the 25-year-old’s determination to leave Milan could play into West Ham’s hands.
“I don’t want to try again,” Mario told Gazzetta dello Sport of a return to Inter.
“I don’t have the necessary motivation, it’s an experience that’s over, no doubt.
“I’m not angry, I’m taking stock of the year and a half I spent in Milan. The idea is clear: I will not go back.
“I’m just honest, there’s no fire inside me to rekindle with the Nerazzurri. When I arrived I was fired-up for a project which seemed to be taking off, too bad it didn’t go that way.
“I’m not making excuses, the chaos of that moment was clear. That’s another reason I wasn’t able to express myself at my best.
“Who is to blame? Everyone and no-one. Inter and the environment there, probably all of Italian football, is not for me.”
“It would be pointless to go back to Appiano Gentile [Inter’s training ground, after the World Cup], even if I have a contract until 2021.
“I hope we can find a solution as soon as possible, maybe even before the end of the World Cup.
“In football, as in life, one must be honest in understanding when things end. And with Inter it's over.”
Mario has been linked with a number of moves, including Italian champions Juventus, but says he now has a taste for the Premier League.
“I’m evaluating things and the Premier League would be ideal, it’s a spectacular environment; a physical and technical competition at the same time,” he added.
“That’s the first idea, then La Liga. West Ham could be an idea, but now it's too early to make a judgement.”
