Renato Sanches says he plans to return to football in January

Renato Sanches plans to return to football in January, he said in an interview published on Friday.

The 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder is currently without a club after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended last season.

He said injuries had caused difficult periods in his career, but none happened because he lacked professionalism.

Sanches has played for clubs including Bayern Munich, PSG, Lille and Benfica, and won the 2016 European Championship with Portugal.

He was close to joining São Paulo in October, but the talks stopped over financial terms.

He said he believes the injury problems are behind him and wants to return in good shape.

He has not named a club he will join.