Benfica insist they are yet to receive an offer for reputed Man Utd target Simao.
Benfica insist they are yet to receive an offer for Simao despite reports of strong interest in the Portuguese international from Manchester United.The Benfica winger has been named as a target for Sir Alex Ferguson by the Portuguese press after impressing in the UEFA Champions League meetings between the two sides this season.
Both Liverpool and Valencia have failed in attempts to recruit the former Barcelona man in the last 12 months, and the Portuguese giants are now bracing themselves for further interest in the midfielder when the transfer window opens in January.
In an attempt to ward off any potential suitors Benfica have slapped a ‚é¼20million (£13.4million) price tag on their star man, and Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has now publicly stated the club have not received an approach from Old Trafford or anywhere else.
"Officially we have not received an offer for Simao recently," said Vieira. "Not from England or any other country.
"Selling Simao in January does not enter into our plans because he is a key player in the team.
"We are only ready to think if a spectacular proposition arrives."
Despite reports that Ferguson is keen to team Simao with his international colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, the Benfica winger is currently playing down talk of an exit from Estadio da Luz.
"Now I am thinking only of playing and continuing in Benfica," said Simao.
Meanwhile, Benfica striker Kikin Fonseca is reportedly ready to leave Portugal and return to his native Mexico after finding himself marginalised by coach Fernando Santos.
Fonseca is set to hold crunch talks with club directors in the coming days, and, with Chivas, Necaxa, Cruz Azul and Veracruz all reportedly vying for a loan switch, looks set to leave Benfica in search of regular football.
"I need to know my real situation because I want to play and have more options on the field," said Fonseca.
