Crystal Palace and Newcastle United target Junior Firpo has signalled it will be tough for suitors to convince him to leave La Liga club Real Betis.
Junior's performances in Spain have put him on the radar of several clubs and Crystal Palace and Newcastle had scouts taking in his display on Sunday when Betis saw off Real Sociedad; the 22-year-old scored the only goal of the game.
Betis have a €50m buy-out clause to protect them against losing Junior, but they have also been boosted by the wishes of the left-back himself.
Indeed, Junior has given every indication that leaving Betis, especially in the January transfer window, is something which is not on his mind.
"My thoughts are now at Betis", he told RTV Betis.
"I am very happy in Seville. My girlfriend is pregnant and we are going to have our child here in Seville.
"I am close to my family, my parents are from Malaga, which is where I grew up, and Seville as a city, today in December with 18 to 20c, is a marvel.
"I am very happy, calm, and I want to continue here for a long time."
But Junior is not completely closing the door on the transfer market, even if he is doing his best to avoid thinking about it until January rolls around.
"It's true that it [transfer speculation] reaches you. My mother often said that when you hear the river, there is water, but I really do not know.
"Some time ago I was asked about this and I told them that the first thing I say to my agents is that during the season I do not want to know anything", the full-back stressed.
"If it is true, if it is a lie, if there is a firm offer or not….because really, until the market opens you do not know anything.
"So 100 per cent, really, I do not know anything.
"My agent is clear that he does not have to tell me anything.
"Maybe on 1st January I learn something", he smiled.
Betis have Junior locked down on a long term contract running until the summer of 2023.
