Marco Silva says reports that Brazilian side Palmeiras had increased their offer for Andreas Pereira to around £20.5m are ‘completely false’.

Fulham rejected a Christmas bid for their Brazilian international of around £16m – and Silva has made clear that he wants to keep the former Manchester United midfielder at Craven Cottage.

He told his press conference at Motspur Park this afternoon:

“Completely false. Normally I don’t speak about this type of situation, but I think it’s a moment for us to be clear: it’s completely false that there was an increased offer or something like that. I spoke with the board yesterday – and completely zero. We are a bit surprised at how this news has come from nowhere. What we can control is ourselves and our work and what we can do.”