Brazil midfielder Elias turns down China offer
Xinhua, January 17, 2016 Adjust font size:
Midfielder Elias has turned down an offer to be the latest Brazil international to join the Chinese Super League, declaring his wish to remain at Corinthians this year.
Hebei China Fortune, who were promoted to Chinese football's top tier last year, reportedly tabled a 10 million-euro offer for Elias in December.
"It was a very good offer, both for me and for the club, but I don't know what happened," the 30-year-old was quoted as saying by Brazilian portal Sambafoot on Saturday.
"I have a contract to fulfil. I am at a great club so there's always a tendency for something to appear but my focus is to remain with Corinthians to play in the Copa Libertadores."
Corinthians have already lost influential midfielders Jadson (Tianjin Songjiang) and Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan) to Chinese clubs since wining the 2015 Serie A title last month.
Strikers Vagner Love and Alexandre Pato are others from the Sao Paulo club to be reportedly considering a move to China. Endit