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River Plate striker to refuse Chinese offer, says coach

Xinhua, February 17, 2017 Adjust font size:

Striker Lucas Alario, a goalscorer for Argentine club River Plate will turn down a lucrative offer to play in China, the team's coach announced on Thursday.

Speaking to the local press, River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo said that he believed Alario "will not take the decision to go play in an alternative market from a football perspective" and that "while the economics are important, his head and his mentality are ready for something else."

The club's technical secretary, Enzo Francescoli said that "Lucas already said he wants to stay" but added that "like most players, he has an exit clause, (and) this depends on him."

"With his age (24) and the level he has, sooner or later he will go play in Europe, with a more glorious club and a higher sports level," added the secretary.

Alario's agent, Pedro Aldave, revealed on Tuesday that an unnamed Chinese club was willing to pay the striker's exit clause, set at over 19 million U.S. dollars.

"There is a very important written offer from a Chinese club that we are considering," said Aldave.

Alario is seen as a crucial player for River Plate, which will seek to win the Copa Libertadores this year, a title it last won in 2015. Enditem