Some of the biggest names are swapping Europe for China as the lure of mega-contracts are proving too hard to turn down. Unless your Arjen Robben.
The Dutch winger has revealed that he rejected a very lucrative offer from a Chinese Super League side in favour of extending his stay at Bayern Munich.
(WATCH Players who have moved to China)
The 32-year-old put pen-to-paper on a one-year extension yesterday keeping him at the club until June 2018, despite seeing a wave of players heading to the Far East.
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With the likes of Oscar, Carlos Tevez, John Obi Mikel, Axel Witsel, to name but a few, succumbing to the temptation of of big-money deals, Robben had no desire to follow in their footsteps while issuing a sly dig.
"I am having a great time here at Bayern and I am playing at one of the best clubs in the world. I would not know where to move at my age." He told Radio 538 via Goal.
Claiming a move to Asia is basically admitting your career is over. "A transfer to China would be something else entirely. That is basically acknowledging your career is over. I want to keep playing at the highest level as long as possible."
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Admitting the 'crazy' offers had to be considered before eventually turning it down; "It is all about a certain madness that is ongoing in China right now. They are offering some crazy figures. I also got some offers. The money on show is so crazy that you at least have to consider it."
"They are offering maybe four, five or six times the amounts you get at a big club. But money has never driven me. That is why I have had such a great career. It is about football for me."
"I do not understand players going to China at the age of 27 or 28. Those guys are at the peak of their career. That is a waste really. You only get one career. I sort of understand players who are already in their 30's."
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Featured Image Credit:Topics: Bayern Munich