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PORTO KEEN TO KEEP ANDRADE

PORTO president Pinto Da Costa has insisted that young defender Jorge Andrade is not for sale at any price.

The 23-year-old ace has been linked with a possible move to Italian outfit Lazio, but Da Costa is adamant that the player will not be leaving Estadio Das Antas.

The Portuguese international has established himself as a key member of Porto's side and he is rated as one of the hottest properties in European football.

The powerful central defender has attracted the interest of both Arsenal and Barcelona in the past, but Da Costa has tied him down to a deal which will keep him in Porto until 2007.

"I do not know of Lazio's interest and it is not true," said Da Costa. "I know the people of Lazio have spoken about Andrade and I am great fan of him as is practically everyone in football but he is not for sale.

"Jorge Andrade is the heart and soul of FC Porto. His new deal shows that we count on Andrade and there is no clauses in it as we never do that with anyone.

"Jorge Andrade has told us this is a great club and that he wants to stay and that he has no interest in leaving.

Da Costa is also hopeful that Jorge Costa will stay at the club, despite finding himself out-of-favour recently after a bust-up with coach Octavio Machado.

The Portuguese hardman has not featured in the last few games, but Da Costa insists there is no problem and he will not be leaving.

"For me it is not a problem," said Da Costa. "He is training normally and when he is needed he will play without any problem.

"He is not for sale and it has all be forgotten about," added Da Costa.

Meanwhile, Lazio midfielder Dejan Stankovic has affirmed his desire to leave the club after growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities.

The Yugoslavian international scored the winning goal in Lazio's Champions League win over Galatasaray in midweek, but he admitted that his situation has not changed since the arrival of Alberto Zaccheroni.

"I have been with the club for four years and my situation has not improved," said Stankovic. "I believed that I was going to get more of a chance with the arrival of the new coach, but in fact nothing has changed."

 

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