The boss of the Europa League winners claims the defender went through a „hard period” and confirms the Stamford Bridge club did not meet the player’s release clause with their bid.The Uruguay international was the subject of interest from the Blues in the final days of the summer transfer window although Vitor Pereira says that he is committed to Porto after the move to Stamford Bridge fell through.
„Alvaro has been training very well,” said Vitor Pereira in a press conference. „He is a model player who went through a hard period because an offer from another club came in and it is natural that it affects his emotional side, because he is a human being.
„The offer was inferior to his release clause, the player’s desire was to stay and that is why we have Alvaro training on a very high level.”
The Uruguayan defender, who can also play on the left side of the midfield, joined Porto from Cluj in 2009 for around £4m.
