Joao Moutinho AS Monaco Paris SG Ligue 1 28082016

Moutinho opens door to Premier League move

Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho has said that he is open to a move to the Premier League.

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The 30-year-old has been the subject of transfer rumours linking him with a move away from Stade Louis II for several months, with Porto particularly associated with him over the summer. However, the Euro 2016 winner has revealed that, rather than go back home, he would prefer a switch to England before he retires.

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Moutinho said previously he was “minutes” away from joining Tottenham in 2012 and he still harbours a desire to play Premier League football.

“I have always said that one day I would like to play in the Premier League. But for the moment, I’m happy here at Monaco. I’m going to continue to give my best until the day we decide to part company, but today that’s not an issue,” he told Le Parisien.

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In the summer, talk of him leaving the club was particularly widespread, but he has played it down, despite struggling for a place in the starting XI in Leonardo Jardim's side since.

“There were only rumours, I didn’t speak to anyone,” he added. “And, on my part, I had no desire to go.”

With Monaco flying high in Ligue 1 – sitting only a point behind surprise leaders Nice and ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain – the Portuguese seems to have his thoughts set on more glory.

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“Ligue 1 remains our principal objective, but we’re also capable of being competitive on the European scene. We want to win the league and go far in the Champions League,” he confirmed.

Monaco have already secured their passage through to the last 16 of Europe’s top competition, at the expense of CSKA Moscow and Spurs.

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