Juventus target Dede is likely to leave Vasco da Gama during the next European summer transfer window, the Brazilian club revealed on Monday.

The 24-year-old central defender, who has been compared to former England captain Rio Ferdinand, has also been linked to Manchester United, Liverpool and Benfica.

"I think it's going to be very difficult to hang on to Dede despite the fact we all want him to stay," Vasco's general director Cristiano Koehler told Radio Globo.

"The club needs the funds and the player is looking for other opportunities that are better paid. We have to be realistic. At some stage he is going to leave."

Dede, who has a 35 thousand US dollar-buyout clause, has been included in Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's 23-man squad for international friendlies against Italy on Thursday and Russia four days later.