West Ham United loan star Joao Mario has dropped a huge hint over his future by insisting his ‘time with Inter Milan is behind him’.

Mario joined the Hammers on a six-month loan deal from the Serie A side in January with the option for the Hammers to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.

The Portugal international’s fortunes at the London Stadium since the switch have been mixed however, leading the wide speculation that he could return to Inter at the end of the season.

West Ham would likely have to pay in the region of £35 million to secure Mario’s services full-time in the summer, with Inter keen to recoup much of the investment they paid for him in 2016.

Yet the Portuguese midfielder is optimistic he will not be returning to Italy come May.

“I’m in a new league and I’m trying to adapt quickly,” Joao Mario said.

“I’m happy with my new adventure and I hope to finish the season well. Inter are part of my past now. I could have played more, but football is about that too.

“Now I’m happy and that’s what matters most.”