Veloso staying put in Jan

Miguel Veloso looks set to stay put at Sporting Lisbon as president Felipe Soares Franco ruled out a January transfer to one of the bigger sides chasing him. Man Utd, Arsenal, Juventus and Inter are all monitoring the player.

Several top sides are said to be interested in the versatile Portuguese international, who has a £20million release clause in his contract.

Veloso, who had recently suggested he would love to go to Old Trafford, had agreed to stay at least 18 months with the Portuguese club when he signed his new contract in January 2007, according to Soares Franco.

Soares Franco said: "There really does not exist a chance of the player's exit. This is down to the deal he signed last season - it is impossible.

"We are not interested in negotiating this subject because Miguel Veloso is one of our main players for this campaign."