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Rio de Janeiro, Jan 25 (IANS) Botafogo have ended speculation about the future of Nicolas Lodeiro by declaring the Uruguay international will remain at the Rio de Janeiro football club.
The announcement Friday came just two days after Turkey's Besiktas revealed it was pursuing the 24-year-old, reports Xinhua.
According to Botafogo director Sidnei Loureiro, the midfielder will be available for the club's Copa Libertadores qualifier first leg against Deportivo Quito Jan 29.
"Botafogo will be without him (Lodeiro) for Uruguay's friendlies and in the preparation for the World Cup so it doesn't make sense to loan him for six months," Loureiro said.
"He is going to stay and the case is closed."
Lodeiro, a regular member of Oscar Tabarez's national team, joined Botafogo from Ajax in July 2012 for an undisclosed fee.
He scored five goals and provided two assists from 36 league appearances last season.