Damiao Could Remain

Brazilian sensation Leandro Damiao has revealed that he could follow Neymar's lead by opting to remain in South America.

Earlier this week Neymar, who had looked set to move to Spain next year, signed a new long-term contract with Santos.

Despite signing a new deal in the summer, Damiao was being strongly with a New Year move to Tottenham - whilst Liverpool, AC Milan and Ukrainian giants Dnipro and Dinamo Kyiv were also being linked.

Damiao has had a sensational season so far in Brazil with Internacional scoring 17 goals in just 13 starts.

And Damiao's agent Vinicius Prates, who works for 9ine, has revealed that their client is looking to stay.

"In 9ine's strategy, the best outcome is for Damiao to continue in Brazilian football, as our economy is strong and he could become the face of a large national brand for two or three years," agent Vinicius Prates told Zero Hora.

"Damiao's sale is not assured. It would be not be too daring to say he will stay in Inter.

"I have already been contacted by all the biggest clubs in Europe but, with the link to 9ine, the chances have grown. Neymar's situation, however, is difficult to compare with Damiao and Inter."

Inter vice-president Luis Anapio Gomes confirmed that Inter would look to offer Damiao a suitable deal, even if they cannot afford to match what Santos are paying Neymar.

"It is true that we cannot compare the economic situation at Santos with what we have here, but we will do everything we can to keep [Damiao]. But I still cannot guarantee he will stay," the director revealed.

"We cannot sell some players in order to keep others. We will not have a mass sale, but if there is interest everyone is negotiable. It is undeniable that Damiao and Oscar are the two most important names we need to keep hold of."