Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago still has a future at the club according to manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The 23-year-old Argentina international has found first-team chances hard to come by at the Bernabeu so far this season despite holding down a regular place last term with Los Merengues.
Gago has recently been linked with a move to Italian clubs AC Milan and Fiorentina, and Argentinean side Boca Juniors, although Pellegrini insists his future lies in Madrid.
He said: "Gago remains an important player and I have no intention of letting him leave during the winter transfer window.
"I'm sure that he will recover his place soon and help Real."
Pellegrini is reportedly hoping to keep Gago at the club past the January transfer window as his squad may be hit by the African Cup of Nations in the New Year.
Current defensive midfielder and Mali captain Mahamadou Diarra will leave the Spanish club for the duration of the tournament, and Gago may step into the breach during that time.
The player's agent Zoran Vekic is recently quoted as saying: "It's too early to say with confidence that Gago will stay at Real, but both the club and the coach spoke with Gago, renewing confidence in him.
"So I think it's hard that they will consider deals for him in January."
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