Vasco da Gama defender Dedé insists he never wanted to leave the club amid interest from Corinthians, but admitted that he was affected by the reports.
Dedé, 24, was heavily linked with an €8 million move to the Libertadores champions and had previously commented that the rumours were affecting his mental state at the start of this 2013 season.
Now, though, the centre-back has sought to make clear that he was not seeking a move from Vasco, but had found the interest from the current Club World Cup champions difficult to ignore.
“It’s a good situation, because of which club it is and their greatness, but everyone knows that my focus is on Vasco at the moment. I am only thinking of Vasco,” Dedé told reporters.
“Many say they caused a problem, while I said that it messed with my head a little. It was not a question of wanting to go or leave Vasco. This was never in my head, but there were many reports coming out. Things that really hit the same buttons.”
Dedé must now concentrate on helping his Vasco side in the current Carioca state championship, as well as attempting to force his way back into the Brazil squad under new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Source: Lancenet
