Maniche open to Porto return

Portugal midfielder Maniche has welcomed reports of a return to former club FC Porto after confirming he will leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old was part of the Porto side which won the Champions League in 2004 and has suggested he would be interested in a return to the Estadio do Dragao when his Madrid contract expires in the summer.

Maniche has spent time at Chelsea, Dynamo Moscow and Internazionale since leaving Portugal in 2005.

"I have a good chance of returning to wear the shirt of a big club. I am a free player and for this my agent and I will decide on my future," he said.

"Porto? Everyone knows that I have great affection and gratitude towards this club.

"It's there that I made my name internationally and where I won everything I could win at a professional level."

Real Betis midfielder Achille Emana has moved to pledge his future to the club following quotes attributed to the Cameroonian that he wanted to leave in the summer.

The 26-year-old was quoted in the French media suggesting he wanted to join a 'bigger club' at the end of the season.

But Emana now claims he is committed to Betis and happy at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.

"I work for Betis, I live for Betis and I'm part of Betis. I am very happy here and I am not thinking about joining any other team," he said.

"I have always said that I have five years left in my contract with Betis. If things should change, any team who wants to sign me must speak to (president) Lopera, not with Emana."

Elsewhere, Valencia forward Juan Mata says he would be happy to sign a new contract at the Mestalla after emerging as one of the club's key players.

The 20-year-old has become a first-team regular with Los Che this season and has also broken into the Spanish national team in recent months.

Mata told Marca: "I simply have to listen and try to speak with them in the best possible way, because I am happy here.

"On a personal level, I have been through good and bad runs of form this season. I have had some physical problems, but nothing that has impeded me from playing.

"The club are showing tranquillity and confidence and I am feeling supported, important and confident."