Porto president insists star players will only be sold if release clauses are met

Nuno Pinto da Costa – Porto

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Porto chairman Pinto da Costa has declared none of the club’s players will be sold for less than the release clauses in their contracts.

The Portuguese and Europa League champions have already been deprived of coach Andre Villas-Boas, who is about to embark on a new challenge at Chelsea.

Reports in Portugal are suggesting that the Portuguese coach may not travel to the London-based club alone, as he is looking to take midfielder Joao Moutinho and striker Radamel Falcao with him.

Da Costa has refused to rule out selling a number of the club’s assets in the summer, but stressed that potential suitors will have to be prepared to meet the player’s buyout figures.

“If there are contracts with release clauses, we have to be prepared that some player might want to leave if the stipulated figure is met,” he said.

“I will not go to any country to negotiate. Just like it happened with Andre Villas-Boas, there will be no talks: there is an account number and money deposited there.”

The Porto president added he is unaware of Chelsea’s interest in one of his club’s players, saying: “We have hot had any contact about the transfer of players and we do not know the intention of any one of them to leave.”