5 players who rejected the Chinese Super League this summer
Money talks in the world of football, and there is a new player in the game splashing money left, right and centre to acquire the services of the biggest names in world football. Clubs from the Chinese Super League are leaving no stone unturned to make the Chinese Football Association a prominent football organisation in the world.
In fact, even Arsene Wenger suspected earlier this year that China could become an attractive destination for established footballers in Europe.
Also Read: Italian striker Graziano Pelle joins Chinese club Shandong Luneng
The Frenchman's words certainly make sense, with the rise in the Chinese economy the transfer market could soon see the best footballing talent move to the Mainland. The Chinese league in recent time managed to sign big name players like Graziano Pelle, Alex Teixeira, Ramirez, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Demba Ba and much more.
Despite the attractive moolah the Chinese are offering, some players have rejected the money to stay in Europe. Here are 5 footballers who rejected a big money move to Asia.
Also Read: Chinese billions forcing their way into Global Football
#5 Wayne Rooney
With only two years remaining on Rooney’s contract, there were plenty of talks regarding his future at the club. Fully aware of his situation, a Chinese club reportedly believed to be Shanghai Shenhua had apparently made a bid worth £27 million including a £500,000 a week for over three years for the Red Devils’ captain.
But the 30-year-old forward is close to becoming the club’s top goal scorer, rejected the move in order to stay at Old Trafford. After a disappointing campaign with England at the Euro’s Rooney has already set his mind on Russia. Rooney has made it clear in a recent interview that 2018 World Cup in Russia will be his last international tournament.
Wayne Rooney is currently England’s highest goal scorer after breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record with 53 goals. It will be interesting to see if Rooney will consider a switch to Major League Soccer after his contract with Manchester United expires.