Portuguese giants Sporting have ruled
out the possibility of selling captain Joao Moutinho.
The Portugal midfielder has been a long-term target of Premier
League side Everton, while lavish-spending Real Madrid have also
been linked with a move.
Sporting have rejected approaches from Everton for Moutinho, who
is understood to have a release clause in his contract in the
region of £31million, in the past.
The 22-year-old is thought to be viewed as the player who can
help Everton break into the top four in England, but Sporting
insist he is not for sale.
"Joao is essential to our project. He is captain and we are not
interested in the sale," the club's president Jose Eduardo
Bettencourt told Portuguese media.
"Rumours are expected at this time, but Sporting have a very
made a very clear decision - Moutinho is indispensable."
skysports.