Porto have reiterated their desire to keep hold of Joao Moutinho but conceded the club would be forced to sell the player if his termination clause is met.
Porto coach Vitor Pereira has reaffirmed the club’s stance over their prized playmaker Moutinho stating any club interested in him would have to meet the buy out fee in his current contract. The 25 year old joined the Primeira Liga champions back in 2010 and have since then become an integral part of the side. Moutinho was one of the key figures in the Portugal side which missed out on a berth in the Euro final after going down to Spain on penalties.
Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to have already made contact with Porto but their offer of £20m has been rejected. Fergie has zeroed in on the talented Portuguese after having lost out in the battle to sign Luka Modric who is all set to join Real Madrid soon. However, coach Pereira has insisted that United will have to shell out 30m and activate the buyout clause in his contract if they are to sign him this summer.
“We very much want him to stay and we are not looking to sell,” he told Abola.
“But this is football and you have termination clauses, for us he has been great and helped us achieve the results we have.”