File closed on Moutinho - Sporting

8:22pm Friday 8th August 2008

Sporting Lisbon president Filipe Soares Franco insists midfielder Joao Moutinho will not be leaving the club this summer.

Everton target Moutinho publicly pleaded to be allowed to move to Goodison Park after Sporting turned down a 16 million euro bid from the Merseysiders and reports suggest that Everton have made a second offer for the highly-rated 21-year-old, but Soares Franco insists Moutinho is staying at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

"I can guarantee one thing," he told Portuguese sports daily Record, "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. The file on Joao Moutinho is closed."

Moutinho received a frosty reception when he turned out for his side's friendly against PSV Eindhoven.

However, Soares Franco remained diplomatic over the fans' reaction to the Portugal international.

"Each Sporting member has the right to judge the attitude and declarations of Moutinho how they like," he added.

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