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<P class=big>Porto have strengthened their position as interest hots up in Brazilian starlet Anderson.
The 18-year-old, widely dubbed 'the new Ronaldinho', has attracted the attention of European giants Barcelona and Chelsea with some exhilarating displays this season.
Porto are keen to keep hold of Anderson and, perhaps sensing the danger of losing him, have tightened their grip on the player.
They have increased their ownership in Anderson from 65 to 80 percent, after buying out the remaining rights of his former club Gremio de Porte Alegre.
"Today we have bought 15 more percent," confirmed Porto president Pinto da Costa.
"FC Porto had 65 percent but we now have 80."
The remaining 20 percent is owned by Anderson himself and agent Jorge Mendes, who runs the company 'Gestifute'.
Anderson has admitted that he is tempted by both Barca and Chelsea, but da Costa believes it would be in the midfielder's best interests to remain at Porto.
Da Costa feels that too many players leave Portugal early and live to regret it as their career derails.
"The evil of the Portuguese players, and therefore why many fail, is because they leave the country prematurely," he explained.
"It was the case of the Helder Postiga, for example.
"The players have to ripen, so they should not let these thoughts enter their head."
The 18-year-old, widely dubbed 'the new Ronaldinho', has attracted the attention of European giants Barcelona and Chelsea with some exhilarating displays this season.
Porto are keen to keep hold of Anderson and, perhaps sensing the danger of losing him, have tightened their grip on the player.
They have increased their ownership in Anderson from 65 to 80 percent, after buying out the remaining rights of his former club Gremio de Porte Alegre.
"Today we have bought 15 more percent," confirmed Porto president Pinto da Costa.
"FC Porto had 65 percent but we now have 80."
The remaining 20 percent is owned by Anderson himself and agent Jorge Mendes, who runs the company 'Gestifute'.
Anderson has admitted that he is tempted by both Barca and Chelsea, but da Costa believes it would be in the midfielder's best interests to remain at Porto.
Da Costa feels that too many players leave Portugal early and live to regret it as their career derails.
"The evil of the Portuguese players, and therefore why many fail, is because they leave the country prematurely," he explained.
"It was the case of the Helder Postiga, for example.
"The players have to ripen, so they should not let these thoughts enter their head."
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