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Chinese Super League 2016
SportChina

Wayne Rooney DID turn down a multi-million pound deal to move to the mega-rich Chinese Super League

Former CNN anchor and friend Piers Morgan reveals details of a conversation where the England star confirmed an approach

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Details have emerged of a conversation in which Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney confirmed he was made an offer to move to the Chinese Super League. Photo: AFP
SCMP Reporter

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has confirmed that he was made an eye-watering offer to play in the Chinese Super League, according to a report in England.

He then revealed a figure, based on a three-year deal, so stupendously, stratospherically gigantic that it did indeed make me feel instantly nauseous
Piers Morgan on Wayne Rooney’s offer to play in China
Daily Mail columnist Piers Morgan gave details of a private conversation he had with Rooney where the Manchester United and England captain revealed he had been offered “a figure, based on a three-year deal, so stupendously, stratospherically gigantic” that it made Morgan feel “instantly nauseous”.

It’s thought the offer came from Shanghai SIPG, who are managed by former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

READ MORE: Winter wonderland – an infographic outlining Chinese clubs’ transfer spending

During an eye-catching winter spending spree, Chinese teams outspent every other league in world football splashing a total of HK$2.6 billion ahead of the new season.

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Marquee signings such as Jackson Martinez, Alex Teixiera, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Ramires were enticed to play in China on big-money contracts.
Wayne Rooney might be more careful about who he discloses personal information to after Piers Morgan used his newspaper column to reveal details of the contract offer. Photo: AFP
Wayne Rooney might be more careful about who he discloses personal information to after Piers Morgan used his newspaper column to reveal details of the contract offer. Photo: AFP
The Daily Mirror previously reported that Manchester United were prepared to cash in on the 30-year-old and he was considering a contact offer of some £500,000 per week (HK$5.5 million) to move to China.
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Shanghai SIPG, runners-up in the Super League last season, lost their opening match of the campaign on Saturday going down 1-0 to Henan Jianye, despite pairing star forwards Dario Conca and £14.3m-signing Elkeson together up front.

READ ALL OF OUR CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE COVERAGE HERE

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