Chelsea, PSG to battle for Joao Mario

Chelsea are set to go head-to-head with Paris Saint-Germain to secure the services of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Mario. The 23-year-old played a key role for Portugal as they went on to lift the Euro 2016 title on Sunday.

Italian giants Inter Milan were earlier deemed favourites to land the midfielder before their Chinese shareholder stalled on the proposed agreement.

And this seems to have paved the way for the Blues and Les Parisiens, who are prepared to match Sporting's £34m valuation for the player, Record claims.

Mario, who has risen through the club's youth ranks, was excellent through the previous campaign as his side just missed out to Benfica on the Primeira Liga crown .

The midfielder has racked 14 goals in 92 outings for Sporting till date.