Just two days after renewed speculation linking Joao
Moutinho with a move to The Premier League, the Portugal
international has signed a new contract with Sporting.
The playmaker came close to joining Everton last summer and, in
a report in a Sunday tabloid, Arsenal and Chelsea were the latest
clubs linked with a possible interest in Moutinho.
Sporting have now tied their captain to a new deal that extends
his contract by one season and rewards him with a pay rise, but the
conditions attached to the arrangement have also changed.
Moutinho’s release clause has dropped from €25 million (£22.2
million) to €22.5 million (£20 million) and he has also waived the
right to a commission from any future transfer, as well as losing
his right to collect a payment of 10 percent of any offer over €15
million (£13.3 million) that Sporting reject.
“Sporting informs that it has renewed the contract of employment
with the player Joao Moutinho, which will run until June 30, 2014,”
read a club statement.
“The termination clause was set at €22.5 million and in return,
the player Joao Moutinho waived the right to receive 10 percent of
a future transfer, and the right to receive the amount
corresponding to 10 percent of any proposal, exceeding €15 million,
that Sporting rejects.”