Transfer Centre

Sporting Lisbon president Bruno De Carvalho: 'Joao Mario is not for sale'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 18 July 2016

Sporting Lisbon president Bruno De Carvalho insists that Euro 2016-winning midfielder Joao Mario is not for sale, despite reported interest from Chelsea and Inter Milan.

Sporting Lisbon president Bruno De Carvalho has insisted that Joao Mario will remain at the club this summer.

The Euro 2016-winning midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from Portugal amid reported interest from the likes of Chelsea and Inter Milan.

The 23-year-old was thought to have opted for Inter ahead of the former Premier League champions, but De Carvalho ruled out the prospect of the player leaving the club.

"I understand he is a player who is much appreciated but I want to reiterate our position," he told O Jogo.

"We do not sell our best players, we have a clearly defined project here. The fact may be that clubs are interested in Joao Mario, but that does not concern us.

"It just makes us proud because it means we are on track. I really hope that in a week's time, when we start preparing [for the new season], the coach will have all of his players available."

Joao Mario has been at Sporting since the age of 11, coming through the ranks and going on to make 75 appearances for the senior side.