Everton set to miss out on Portugal star Moutinho
Everton have yet to make a notable summer signing after a frustrating time in the transfer market.
Friday, 08, Aug 2008 10:09
Portugal star Joao Moutinho will not be joining Everton, Sporting Lisbon have insisted.
Moutinho publicly pleaded to be allowed to move to Goodison Park after Sporting turned down an £8 million bid, according to reports.
The Toffeemen are thought to have made a second bid for the 21-year-old midfielder of around £16 million.
Sporting president Filipe Soares Franco said Moutinho, who has also been linked with a move to Manchester United, will be staying at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
"Joao Moutinho was made at Sporting, he has all the affection of the entire club, we all like Joao Moutinho and want him to stay at the Alvalade," Franco said.
"If there is any real news then the club will speak, but until now there have only been rumours in the papers.
"The file on Joao Moutinho is closed."
Moutinho received a frosty reception from some fans when he turned out for Lisbon in a friendly against PSV Eindhoven.
Responding to the fans' reaction, Franco said: "Each Sporting member has the right to judge the attitude and declarations of Moutinho how they like."
Moutinho is a box-to-box midfielder who has 17 international caps. He was in Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad at Euro 2008.