Benfica have blown apart reports that teenage superstar Joao Felix is on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid.
And a statement from the Portuguese giants will come as a major boost to Manchester United and City - both of whom remain keen on signing the Portugal international.
The forward has become the hottest teenage property in Europe this summer after a stunning season in which he scored 18 goals for club and country.
But reports coming out of Spain on Monday claimed Atletico had won the race to sign the 19-year-old.
However, Benfica have moved to issue a statement that strongly denies a deal had been struck with the La Liga side for the player.
The statement read: "In view of the set of news published in these last hours, Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol, SAD clarifies that it is false that any negotiation process is currently under way regarding a possible transfer of player João Félix.
"More serious, and that deserves our most vehement repudiation and denial, is the false news that refers to negotiations that involve commissions of 30% and which, unfortunately, was echoed in Portugal by the newspaper A Bola, with intentions and goals that we do not know at all.
"We repeat: this information is totally false, absurd and has clearly intentional intentions for the reputation and dignity of Sport Lisboa e Benfica."
Felix his debut for Portugal in their Nations League semi-final success over Switzerland, picking up a winners' medal after his country then won the final against the Netherlands.
Both United and City will continue to monitor the situation regarding the young star's future.
