West Ham United are attempting to sign Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario on loan.

Talks are on-going, with an agreement understood to have been reached between the two clubs over a proposed deal.

However, the Portugal international is weighing up the move with sources suggesting he may have “a number of options” to consider and is asking for time before deciding what to do.

Inter are keen to loan out Joao Mario, who cost them more than €45 million (£39.8m) from Sporting Lisbon - in what was the biggest ever transfer by a Portuguese club - but he has grown frustrated at his lack of playing time.

Joao Mario featured for Portugal during their Euro 2016 triumph and made a move from Sporting to Inter, ahead of a host of other clubs, that summer. The attacking midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in the past.

Joao Mario in action for Inter Milan credit: REUTERS

Inter do not want to sell him at this time and hope to secure the 24 year-old regular first-team football with a loan move to a Premier League club. Joao Mario has had to make do with a bit-part role this season, with coach Luciano Spalletti preferring Marcelo Brozovic.

West Ham manager David Moyes has targeted strengthening his midfield as a priority during this window and is willing to sell forward players in order to help finance deals.

West Ham were knocked back at the start of the window with an inquiry for Stoke City’s Joe Allen and are interested in several other players.

The club is prepared to listen to offers for Diafra Sakho and Javier Hernandez and are aware of Chelsea’s interest in Andy Carroll. They are prepared to sell Carroll, with suggestions of a fee of around £20m being acceptable, but West Ham would also want Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan.