FC Porto slap 40 million euro price-tag on Quaresma

Bosingwa bid rejected as club fights to retain stars

FC Porto have come out and made it clear that none of their players are for sale unless they receive a princely fee in exchange.

With the season still some way from ending the Dragons are set to claim their third successive Portuguese crown, having made a mockery of their domestic rivals to such an extent that they are in with a chance of winning the championship by a record points difference.

Inevitably, rumours are swirling that the club may cash in on their big names. Players such as Ricardo Quaresma, Lucho Gonzalez and Bosingwa have come in for a lot of attention this past year.

The trio look the most obvious candidates to leave the Estadio do Dragao in the close season, although Bruno Alves and Lisandro Lopez are also extremely marketable assets.

Club president Pinto da Costa has reiterated that he has no intention of selling any of his players, but has slapped a price-tag on Quaresma’s head should any suitors attempt to prize him away from the Portugal’s second city.

Gonzalez happy to stay

“We are not thinking about losing any of our players next season. Quaresma? Only if someone pays 40 million euros for him,” stated Pinto da Costa. “As for Gonzalez, he is fine at FC Porto and FC Porto are fine with him. There exists a good relationship and because of it, there are no motives to disrupt it.”

The club president admitted that Porto did receive a lucrative offer from Aston Villa in the January transfer window for Bosingwa, revealing that it was rejected as the club want to retain the Portuguese international.

Pinto da Costa also confirmed that Jesualdo Ferreira will remain at the helm for next season, dismissing any thoughts of releasing the wily coach.

“There was never any doubt what our intentions were. We sealed the continuation of Jesualdo Ferreira with a handshake. Next season he will be FC Porto’s coach.”


Related: Ricardo Quaresma PortuGOAL profile