Brazilian giants Internacional have poured cold water on reports linking star striker Leonardo Damiao with a summer move to Europe.
The 23-year-old has been courted by top European clubs for over a year now, with some of the interested clubs stepping up their efforts to sign him after the player largely impressed at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
The highly rated forward scored 6 goals in 5 games at the Summer Games, but that didn’t prove enough for the Seleccao to win their first Olympic gold.
Damiao has since been paired with a move to White Hart Lane, but Internacional president Giovanni Luigi is adamant the player will not be sold this summer.
“There is interest (for Damiao). But last year everyone assumed he would be transferred, Internacional held their ground and I understand we did the right thing,” Luigi explained to Lancenet.
“As in those 14 months he brought return both on the pitch and financially, as he is worth more now than he did. I don’t intend to sell him, despite the interest. I intend to keep all our best players.”
Damiao has spent his entire career at Internacional, and managed to score 56 goals in 93 league games for the Brazilian giants.
He has been especially impressive this season, having netted 22 times in 31 competitive games.
