Gremio president Romildo Bolzan Jr. says Everton will only be sold for a club-record fee, as Manchester City continue to be linked with signing him.
City have been linked with the Brazilian international, who was joint top scorer the Copa America this summer with three goals and two assists.
Everton's agent had previously claimed a meeting had taken place with City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, but insisted that City's wealth of attacking options meant a deal was unlikely.
Gilmar Veloz had said: “There is nothing. We have to be very careful, take responsibility with the fans, with me and the boy. We can’t create stories on something that does not exist,” Veloz told Zero Hora.
“I’ve been there in January. In March, I went to see a game of the Portuguese Cup and I met Txiki. We talked. At this point, he has more attackers than he could have. There is no possibility of the sale."
Now, Everton's club president has spoken about the future of his star striker, saying the club are open to a deal but will hold out for a club-record transfer fee.
Bolzan Jr. is quoted by Globo Esporte as saying: “My wish is for him to stay. But I’ve never lived a moment like this. Because Grêmio’s fans are already used to the idea of selling him.
“Do you know what the big debate is about this business? How much will Grêmio make… I’m going to put my finger on the buyer’s weak spot and I’m going to make the biggest Grêmio deal of all time.”
The report adds that no bids have been made for Everton, whose release clause stands at £72m. Gremio's biggest fee received to date is the €31m (£27.9m) transfer of Arthur to Barcelona, which could rise to €40m (£36m).
