Veloso happy to stay

Miguel Veloso's agent insists the Portuguese star will be happy to stay at Sporting Lisbon.

Sporting ace won't join 'average' club

Miguel Veloso's agent insists the Portuguese star will be happy to stay at Sporting Lisbon.

Veloso and team-mate Joao Moutinho have both been continually linked with moves away from Portugal's capital.

Veloso, who is at home in midfield or defence, was expected to depart for one of Europe's big clubs this summer, with Manchester United known admirers, but he now looks set to stay on at the Jose Alvalade.

The player's agent, Paulo Barbosa, has confirmed that Veloso is staying - hinting that any offers on the table were not of sufficient calibre.

"He will not leave just for the sake of leaving, only for a club with a different dimension and is good for him and Sporting," Barbosa said.

"Miguel will not leave for an average club that cannot match his expectations or surpass what Miguel could do at Sporting."

Happy to stay

Barbosa did though admit that the player would still consider an offer to leave.

"The player like any professional would be open to offers. That is just a sensible attitude," he continued.

"But Miguel is back training with Sporting and there is nothing different for him. He has a contract with Sporting and will keep to it."

Earlier this week Sporting president Soares Franco said both Veloso and Moutinho would be staying put.

However, fresh reports from Portugal suggest that Everton are still very much interested in midfield playmaker Moutinho.

Meanwhile, Sporting have officially confirmed the capture of Leandro Grimi from Milan.

The 23-year-old Argentine defender enjoyed a loan spell at the club last season but he has now penned a five-year deal.