Alisson to Real Madrid? I was joking, says Roma chief Pallotta

The goalkeeper is not leaving the club, according to the Serie A president, who said he was joking about a move to the Champions League winners

president James Pallotta said he was joking when he suggested goalkeeper Alisson could be set to join .

Alisson has been linked to a move away from the side for much of the spring, with often mentioned as a destination.

The 25-year-old international said he was "very happy" to stay at the club as he prepared for the World Cup, but rumours about his future persist with talk of a move to Real Madrid emerging as a reported possibility.

When asked whether Alisson might be joining , Pallotta was quoted as telling AreaNapoli: "No, [Napoli president Aurelio] De Laurentiis doesn't want to spend all his money. €78 million is needed and he's close to joining Real Madrid."

The Roma chief has moved to clarify his comments, which he said were made in jest.

"I have read with much amusement the quotes attributed to me about the transfer market," he said in a statement on the club's official Twitter account.

"In fact I was joking around with a group of guys and responded sarcastically with a reference to the popular rumours on Twitter and in the papers since I've been in .

"There was nothing serious about anything I said whilst making pizza. Just stupid American humour that some don't get."

President Pallotta: "I have read with much amusement the quotes attributed to me about the transfer market. In fact I was joking around with a group of guys and responded sarcastically with a reference to the popular rumours on Twitter and in the papers since I’ve been in Italy." pic.twitter.com/3p4U7ie9L1 — AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) June 14, 2018

Alisson has previously declared he would like his future determined before the start of the World Cup.

However, if he is to move, then that wish appears unlikely to occur, as Brazil open their World Cup play in Group E against on Sunday.