Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says he wants Mario Suarez to stay at the club despite interest from Serie A.
Both Inter and Napoli have been linked with the defensive midfielder in recent weeks but Simeone insists he is too important to the team.
“Mario is an important player for us and we’ve no intention of letting him go,” the Argentine told Sky Sports at the FIFA 2014 Ballon d’Or award ceremony in Zurich.
“What would we do if an important offer came in for him? You’d have to ask [sporting directors] Jose Luis Caminero and Andrea Berta.”
Mario has struggled to cement a place in Simeone’s starting line-up this term, having started just six La Liga games, and Corriere dello Sport reported this week that he is Inter boss Roberto Mancini’s first choice for the winter transfer market.
However, if he fails to lure the 27-year-old away from the Vicente Calderon it is understood he will turn his attentions to Liverpool’s Brazil international Lucas Leiva.