Transfer Blow As President Claims £35m Ace “Will Stay With Us”

Internacional president Giovanni Luigi has dashed the hopes of several Premier League clubs, after declaring star striker Leandro Damiao will not be sold any time soon.

Damiao has become one of the most sought after players in world football after a string of impressive displays in South America alerted clubs throughout Europe. The Brazilian has scored 21 goals in 53 games for his club and has also broken in to the Brazilian national team set up.

The 22-year-old striker has been linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs in recent months, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Tottenham all scouting the player. Spurs were thought to be leading the race in the summer and were close to sealing a £15m deal. But the move failed to materialise and Damiao’s stock has risen significantly this season and Internacional now value him at £35m.

However, speaking to Brazilian radio station Radio Gaucha, Internacional president Giovanni Luigi claims the club have no need to sell their star man:

“We are going to keep Damiao. He would only have two motives to leave – due to sporting criteria, or if the club had financial problems and needed to sell one of its’ stars. That is not the case here.

“I can assure you that Damiao will stay with us.”