Leandro Damiao has been heavily linked with a move to Europe this summer. Photo: PA

Transfer news: Leandro Damiao is set to stay at Internacional

Internacional president Giovanni Luigi has insisted that Leandro Damiao will stay at the club despite interest from Chelsea and Tottenham.

The 23-year-old has expressed his interest in moving to the Premier League but the Brazilian club are unwilling to sell.

“Many former Internacional presidents have commented and I agree,” he told Lancenet. “The club’s president has to see beyond his own term, has to look at the institution in medium and long term, look at his legacy.

“In the business world, and I said that before becoming president, Barcelona sell, the big clubs sell. What we have to do is value our players and that’s what we are going to do.

“There is interest (for Leandro Damiao). But last year everyone assumed he would be transferred, Internacional held their ground and I understand we did the right thing.

“As in those 14 months he brought return both on the pitch and financially, as he is worth more now than he did. I don’t intend to sell him, despite the interest. I intend to keep all our best players.”