Porto coach Pereira 'counting' on Hulk and Moutinho

Jul 26, 2012 12:10:00 AM

The Porto boss remains hopeful of holding on to the highly-rated duo, despite speculation in the press linking the pair with moves to the Premier League

Porto coach Vitor Pereira is keeping optimistic that he will be able to call on the services of Joao Moutinho and Hulk for the start of the new season.

The duo have been linked with moves to England in recent weeks, as new Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas has reportedly lined up the midfielder as a potential replacement for Luka Modric, while Chelsea are understood to be tracking the Brazilian forward.

Moutinho joined up with the rest of the Porto squad on Monday after going on holiday after Euro 2012, and Pereira has not lost hope about keeping both the Portugal international and Hulk, who is in London representing Brazil at the Olympics.

"They are our players, they are very valuable and I am counting on them," he told reporters.

Alvaro Pereira did not take part in Porto's friendly match against Santa Clara on Wednesday, but the Portuguese coach stated that it was because the Uruguayan was not fit to play.

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