The 21-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract, has rejected a fresh deal at the Dragao with the intention of engineering a move to England this summer

Christian Atsu has moved closer to a proposed move to the Premier League after rejecting a new deal at Porto.

The Ghana midfielder has been involved in a contract dispute with the Portuguese club for months and has now refused to sign a new deal after the Dragao club insisted on a €30 million [£24m] release clause.

The 21-year-old has continually been linked with a move to the Premier League, admitting it is his dream to play in England.

“I spoke to the club [Porto] before I came away on international duty and informed them that I won’t be signing a new deal,” Atsu told Sky Sports.

“The club have made their feelings clear to me after I refused to sign a new deal and I hope we can reach a resolution soon.

“It has always been my dream to play in England and it is flattering to be linked with some big Premier League clubs.

“At the moment I am focused on Ghana’s World Cup games, but I see my future in England and I hope I will have more news after these games.”

The winger is part of the Ghana side that has been selected for the 2014 World Cup qualifying games against Sudan and Lesotho in June.