Carlos Tevez close to agreeing Shanghai Shenhua switch according to China reports – but ‘€80m’ figure played down

Argentina star Carlos Tevez may become the latest big-name player on the move to China for huge amounts of money, with Chinese media reporting that his switch from Boca Juniors to Shanghai Shenhua is all but complete.

Mainland news portals Sina and QQ reported that barring unforeseen circumstances the deal would be signed on Thursday night – but downplayed rumours that he could be paid as much as €40 million a year tax-free.

Reports in Argentina suggested Tevez was still undecided.

Meanwhile, France Football reported that Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani is also being lured, by newly-promoted Tianjin Quanjian.

According to the reports, Tevez, 32, will sign a one-year deal, with Shenhua hoping for an option for a further year.

Boca would receive €10 million for the former Manchester United and Juventus striker.

Tevez could supposedly earn as much as €40 million per season according to recent reports in Argentina, but Sina said “relevant parties” were playing down that figure.

“It’s true Tevez and Shenhua are infinitely close, but the transfer contract is not yet sealed and the rumours of the ultra-high salary are absolutely not the case,” they quoted an unnamed person as saying.

But given Tevez’s love for hometown club Boca and previous homesickness in Europe, a huge amount will likely be required to convince him to move to even less familiar surroundings in China.

Boca manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto suggested he was still hoping Tevez would reject the deal.

“We had been talking to Tevez this week but will do so after the game with Colon [on Sunday],” he said at a press conference.

“Carlos knows we want him to stay but there are decisions that go beyond economics or sport. We cannot pressure him publically about the decision.

“Carlos knows the coaching staff and players want [him to stay] ... I can only give him the peace of mind to make the decision he wants.”

France Football reported that Uruguayan star Cavani is wanted by Tianjin, who spent big to win promotion to the Chinese Super League last season.

They claim Tianjin are willing to pay €50 million for the PSG striker and pay him €20 million a year. Cavani has scored 22 goals in 21 games this season though, and Qatar-backed PSG are not exactly short of cash. Manager Fabio Cannavaro is also interested in playmaker Javier Pastore, according to the report, with PSG more willing to let him go.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar is almost certain to break the Asian transfer record in a €60 million move to Shanghai SIPG – “his future will be clear in the next days,” said Blues manager Antonio Conte – but it seems likely the record could be broken again before the winter transfer window closes at the end of January.