Chelsea midfielder Oscar reveals he rejected £58m transfer to China
The Brazilian was subject to a massive offer from Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea playmaker Oscar has revealed he turned down a lucrative deal to join a Chinese Super League club, believed to be Jiangsu Suning, because he is not prepared to leave the Premier League.
A blistering rush in the last 10 days of the January transfer window paid witness to Blues midfielder Ramires and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Alex Teixeira joining Jiangsu Suning, for £25m and £38.4m respectively, while Guangzhou Evergrande stretched their financial muscle to lure Jackson Martinez from Atletico Madrid for £31m.
Oscar is thought to have been subject to a £58m offer from Jiangsu but rejected their advances to remain at Stamford Bridge.
“Of course I was sad to see [Ramires] go in the sense that we're from the same country, we're friends, we speak the same language and help each other out, but it's a good move for him,” the Brazilian said.
“There was interest in me but I've no desire to leave Europe. The idea of moving to China would be such a huge change for me and would go against everything I've achieved so far.
“Chelsea are a fantastic, very big club and I'm still young. I'm only 24 so I've got a lot of football ahead of me.”
Meanwhile former England and current Shanghai manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has revealed Chinese clubs are seriously looking into the prospect of luring John Terry to Asia.
The 35-year-old is set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer after 18 years of service, lifting four Premier League trophies and enjoying one Champions League success among other honours, and Eriksson believes China could be his destination.
Eriksson, addressing the country’s continued financial influence over football, told the Sun: “There is a lot of talk about John Terry in China. He has been one of the greatest defenders in the world for the last 15 years.
“He is still doing very well and has a lot to offer. He is one of the most recognisable players in world football.
“Chinese teams are looking for these big players. Great teams need great leaders.
“They do not come much better than John Terry. With his skill, his experience, he would be great in China, I have no doubt about that.
“China is the future. Football here will get bigger and bigger.
“I have already seen a huge difference. The more top players who come, the bigger and better it will get. This is a great place to live and play football. It is fantastic.”
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