Flamengo vice-president Marcos Braz has insisted that the club have not received any proposals for highly-rated midfielder Joao Gomes.
The 21-year-old has emerged as a key player for the Brasileiro side in the past year and has registered two goals and two assists from 52 appearances in the 2022 season.
Gomes recently committed his future to Flamengo until the summer of 2027, but not before the Brazil youth international added fuel to the fire surrounding his future.
Responding to a question on an Instagram Live session, Gomes revealed his desire to one day represent Liverpool and is dreaming of playing in the Champions League with the Reds.
"Liverpool are a team I'd play for. I have the greatest desire to play. Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream and that of my family, my biggest dream in football," Gomes said.
Manchester United are also said to have considered the possibility of a swap deal for Gomes involving Andreas Pereira, who spent last season on loan at Flamengo and was tipped to sign for them permanently before instead joining Fulham.
However, speaking to ESPN Brasil after Gomes's extension was announced, Braz has affirmed that there was "absolutely nothing" to rumours that the youngster could have departed for the Premier League.
"It was said that there was some discomfort, a relationship problem. The relationship with João Gomes was always the best possible, speaking personally and as vice president of the football department," Braz said.
"He is the first to arrive, last to leave, committed player, he doesn't leave the field with a beak... Nothing, absolutely nothing. There was no proposal for João Gomes, there was no consultation for him,"
Despite Gomes's new long-term deal, Braz has admitted that he is expecting bids to come in for the Brazilian if he continues to perform in the same vein over the next few months.
"So, it is a lot of lies that have been propagated about Joao Gomes since the beginning of these renewal issues. But if you ask me if next year, in the middle of the year, I think there will be something, I'll say: 'I think'," Braz added.
"Due to the size of the player, for what he has become, but today, there is nothing. We are very happy and I am absolutely sure that he is very happy with the board of Flamengo.
"The certainty of a five-year contract protects Flamengo at the maximum, and then, yes, also build a good salary increase for a Flamengo holder. That's what happened. Flamengo is very happy with Joao Gomes, Joao Gomes is very happy with Flamengo, and most importantly, he has his head focused on Brazil."
Gomes has amassed a total of three goals and three assists in 106 appearances for Flamengo since graduating from their academy, and Liverpool will likely be forced to look elsewhere in their midfielder search.
Despite Gomes's admission and subsequent new contract, the Reds were always expected to prioritise a move for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, who is likely to be at the centre of an intense bidding war in 2023. body check tags ::
