Gelson Martins' agent rules out Sporting Portugal starlet move amid Manchester United links

Gelson Martins' agent has ruled out his client moving away from Sporting Portugal during the coming January transfer window despite speculation linking him with the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and especially Manchester United. Ulisses Santos suggests that the 21-year-old coveted winger is instead ready to commit his long-term future to the Portuguese giants by signing a new deal.

Martins is considered as the next big thing to emerge from the prolific Sporting academy, following the footsteps of the likes of Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United already signed Ronaldo himself and Nani from the Portuguese giants in the past and has been recurrently linked with Martins in recent times.

A Bola last month reported that United, Chelsea and Manchester City sent their scouters to the Santiago Bernabeu to watch the talented winger in action during the Champions League clash between Sporting and Real Madrid. The publication added that "Mourinho was leading the race" but added that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were also tracking his development following an impressive start to the season at Sporting, having provided nine assists while scoring two goals in 12 league games.

However, Martin's agent has now told the suitors to forget about his signing ahead of the January transfer window as the player is ready to continue at Sporting until at least the end of the campaign.

"There is no proposal (from other clubs). He is a Sporting player and will remain so in January," Ulisses Santos said in quotes reported by A Bola. "With all certainty he will not leave. He has a long contract and will not leave."

According to A Bola, Gelson has a contract at Sporting until 2021, with a release clause set at €60m (£50.6m, $64.6m). Yet, Sporting reportedly want to hand him a new deal in order to increase that clause to €80m.

Martins' agent admitted that the negotiations are ongoing and suggested that both parties are likely to agree terms. "We are in talks and we will see what happens. The atmosphere is good and, come on, sure we will get a good understanding," Ulisses Santos concluded.