Mateo Kovacic has ruled out a move to the Premier League this summer, expressing a wish to remain at Inter Milan.
The Croatian playmaker has been strongly linked with Liverpool, with reports in Italy claiming the Reds are willing to spend 30 million euros (£21m) on the player.
However, the 21-year-old, who signed a contract extension with Inter for another four seasons back in January, insists he has no intention of leaving the San Siro any time soon.
“Inter have never said they want to sell me, never,” Kovacic said to Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. “I want to stay here. I will not leave.
“That’s what I wanted, that’s what my renewal until 2019 shows, there will be a long relationship between myself and Inter.”
On Tuesday, Liverpool sold England international Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for £49m and have money to spend in the transfer market.
“Could I replace Sterling? We have two different roles,” Kovacic added.
“It’s not for me to say whether there have been any offers from the Reds or not, hopefully that’s down to my agent.
“That said, I reiterate that I want to stay here.”
Since joining Inter from Dinamo Zagreb in January 2013, Kovacic has made 80 Serie A appearances – he scored five goals and set up three more in 35 league games last season.