Lotito insists Lazio wants to keep Hernanes

The Biancocelesti chief affirmed he would not sell the club's chief playmaker, and targeted Supercoppa glory against Juventus

Lazio president Claudio Lotito is adamant star player Hernanes will not be leaving Rome this summer.

The midfielder's contract runs until June 2015, with the failure to sort out a renewal generating reported interest from AC Milan and Inter, as well as that of Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Lotito says he is confident that the 28-year-old will not only remain at the Stadio Olimpico, but commit his long-term future to the Coppa Italia champions.

"Until
today no one has knocked on our door for Hernanes," Lotito told Corriere dello Sport. "Getting rid of Hernanes is not our intention; we intend to keep him. At the end of the transfer market we'll sit around a table with Hernanes and see what we can do [about a renewal]. There is a spirit of cooperation and a good relationship with the player.

"We are willing to continue our relationship and I think there is also his [desire to do so]. I have not put him on sale and I have already been clear about this."

Hernanes had secured his first piece of silverware with the Olimpico outfit when they defeated local rivals Roma for the Coppa Italia last season, and Lotito is eager for his star to add the upcoming Supercoppa against Juventus to his collection.

"I'm not used to making predictions, it's going to be a tough game," the Italian continued. "We face the strongest team, but as Lazio, we will not become sacrificial lambs.

"If the team can stay determined, united and focused like the Coppa Italia against Roma or the 2009 [Supercoppa triumph] in Beijing against Jose Mourinho's Inter, we can prevail."

Brazil international Ederson affirmed his president's words, stating: "We are preparing well for the encounter with Juve, we want to win that race.

"Now we have a week to prepare well, our only goal is to win."

The curtain-raiser has been confirmed on the 18th at the Olimpico, after either contender failed to find a compromise over whether the match should be played in China or Canada.