Joao Mario's father says his son will cost any interested clubs more than the £26.7million transfer fee being reported.

The Sporting Lisbon midfielder, 23, is reportedly a key target for Manchester United but if the Red Devils want to lure him to Old Trafford, they will have to stump up a significant up-front fee.

Benicia young gun Renato Sanches recently signed with Bayern Munich for around £26.7m (€35m) but Joao Mario Eduardo insists it will be a bigger sum for the Portugal international.

"That's what we will evaluate when I meet Sporting. Joao has offers but he can stay as well," he told Diario de Noticias.

"If he leaves Sporting, his preference is England.

"Sporting have already set a minimum to talk and I can say that it's bigger than Renato Sanches, for example, but it all depends on what the clubs want to pay and offer."

Apart from United, it is understood that Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool all share an interest in Mario.