Football
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Gelson Martins to stay at Sporting despite Madrid, Barcelona talk - agent

Gelson Martins' agent has told potential suitors that his client will not be leaving Sporting Lisbon next month despite links with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Marca recently reported that Madrid have been monitoring 21-year-old Portugal winger Martins since he impressed during their Champions League group-stage opener at the Bernabeu on Sept. 15, which the Spanish giants won 2-1.

Barca's international director of sports, Ariedo Braida, also confirmed in October that his club were scouting Martins.

However, agent Ulisses Santos told AS: "He is a Sporting player and will continue to be in January. There are no offers. With all certainty, he will remain. He has a long-term contract and will not leave."

Martins is under contract with Sporting until June 2021 and has a release clause set at €60 million.

Catalan newspaper El Mundo Deportivo has reported that Martins has rejected a new contract worth €450,000 a year from Sporting. The report also claimed Martins is the lowest-paid first-team player at Sporting, earning €120,000 a year.

Santos, though, added in AS: "We are negotiating and we will see what happens. The atmosphere is good and I'm certain we will reach a good understanding."

Martins has scored six goals and provided four assists in 40 appearances in all competitions for Sporting.

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