RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Brazil international winger Douglas Costa could remain at Gremio this year despite the club's relegation to Brazilian football's second tier.
Club president Romildo Bolzan said the 31-year-old had expressed a desire to remain in Porto Alegre, where his loan from Juventus is due to expire in June.
"He has a contract with us that is in force," Bolzan told Radio Gaucha on Sunday. "We're going to do whatever we deem necessary to adjust our [finances] and Douglas's situation is no exception.
"It's an open situation. We have a contract, a commitment and we intend to fulfil it."
The comments come less than a month after Gremio football director Denis Abrahao said the club would struggle to meet Costa's salary demands in Serie B.
Costa has made just 28 appearances and scored four goals since rejoining his boyhood club on a year-long loan last May.
Abrahao's remarks appeared to cast doubt over Costa's future given that his deal with Juventus is due to expire in June.
The forward has also reportedly attracted the interest of Sao Paulo, Atletico Mineiro and clubs from the United States and Qatar. Enditem
