Reported Arsenal target Joao Moutinho has committed his future to Sporting by signing a new six-year deal with the Portuguese club.

The highly-rated midfielder had been linked with a possible £15million move to Emirates Stadium, but his decision to pen a new long-term deal is likely to subdue speculation over his future, for this summer at least.

Moutinho has already been capped by his country at 20 years of age, and is one of the brightest young stars at Sporting along with reputed Manchester United target Nani.

His impressive progression had led to talk of potential interest from Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, although Moutinho insists he has never contemplated leaving Estadio Jose Alvalade.

"I am very happy because my objective was always to continue at Sporting," Moutinho told the club's official website.

"The club have decided to present a new offer and this was not a problem.

"I am very pleased to stay at the club and look forward to the challenge of Champions League football next season."

Great news for Sporting. I hope Nani follows suit and sticks around next season. If we keep those 2 we could come up with a couple of shocks in the CL next season. It's in the interests of their futures as well to stay around for a bit longer.

Joao Moutinho is your typical playmaker in the "rui Costa" mode. He is Deco's heir in the national team, very skilful, great passer of the ball and excellent vision for such a young player

If Sporting does well in the UEFA Cup or CL, then maybe I will get their jersey and call myself a fan.

Right now though, I am more of a Porto fan because of Quaresma.

Remember where Quaresma came from. Also remember who gave you Ronaldo, and therefore gave you the Prem title Ricky...Sporting is the only logical choice!

phew stick with porto or benfica, ricky, because the last time they won the liga was with jardel

I've never seen Moutinho play before! Is he any good at tackling and tracking back or any defensive aspects because on LMA Manager he plays brilliant as a DM.

19 million Euros...chicken feed now when you consider what he's done! "Gave" you is more accurate

We breed the talent, you come over and nick it...the least we deserve is your undying support!

Hi mate, yes I am portuguese...I've heard of Patafta, in the Benfica juniors I think? Is he a winger? I've heard mixed things from him, but whether he'll make the senior squad next year is still a doubt...Benfica not reknowned for their youth academy and bringing up young players, particularly in recent years...but from the little I know, there's still hope he'll make the breakthrough

Moutinho is being sensible. He clearly is happy and loves playing for Sporting. Like every portuguese player with talent they know at some stage they need to move on if they want to improve and become millionaires. Moutinho knows this as well, but at his age, it's good to see he signed the contract which offers Sporting some protection over another of their young talents.

As for portuguese clubs charging loads, think that's a gross generalisation.
Sporting sold Quaresma for only £4m, Figo cost Barca £1.5m and they got £37m, Ronaldo has proven a snip at £12m, I can't remember how much Paulo Sousa cost Juve but I bet Juve fans agree they got a top player into the bargain...Sporting have actually offered great value for money...perhaps Simao for £10m to Barcelona was a bit OTT, but after the value they got out of Figo...

Pinto da Costa at Porto, well that's an entirely different story altogether...I was shocked Anderson cost more than Nani...very shocked! Plus he completely rinsed Chelsea for ferreira and Carvalho! But when you consider how much these players would cost if they were bought from one of the top 3 leagues, then more often than not, it's a price worth paying for the potential reward...and Pinto da Costa is a reknowned self-publcist and hard-arse negotiator

Wow you sure have a thick face, at the time he was unheard of across the globe, he was completely unproven on the big stage, and yet he was the most expensive teen player signed!

What more do you want! That Gerrard is world class?

Duh, why are you so dense and blinkered...and why can't you see this started out jesting for your Sporting support tongue-in-cheek until you had to get all Manc-like and defensive on me

Sporting got good money for him, of course they did fool! I am being tongue in cheek you crazy-arsed buffoon

But the kid was actually tearing defenses apart. I actually watched the Sporting-Man Utd friendly where Ronaldo, 17/18 made Gary Neville looks as stupid as I've seen any defender look! In other words, with amount Man Utd spend on players, £12m represented a decent amount to risk, considering the potential

Sporting did well out of it, of course! But it's not often that a Sporting prodigy goes out into the big wide world and fails miserably...

Your Gerrard comments are getting as old as your blinkered and disturbing love for David Beckham