The Chinese Super League continues to draft in a host of talent from Europe but Tianjin Quanjian will be without the services of Nikola Kalinic despite their best efforts to sign him.
And the reason why the CSL side ultimately failed in snapping him up is bloody brilliant and refreshingly honest. The Croatian striker admitted; "I am really not worth £43 million." He told Corriere della Sera newspaper.
Putting pen-to-paper on a new deal extended his contract at Fiorentina as well as slapping a hefty £43 million release clause, though Tianjin Quanjian were prepared to trigger it.
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Not to mention offering him a whopping 10 million euros-per year contract. But the lure of money didn't tempt him to make the switch to Asia.
"I want to point out I didn't know precisely how much the offer was, but money isn't everything in life. I only just arrived in the football that really matters a year and a half ago and I didn't want to leave now."
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Axel Witsel, Oscar, John Obi Mikel, to name but a few, have all left Europe to join the fledgling league but the ex-Blackburn player maintains he still has a lot to give to European football.
"I think I still have a lot to give in European football. My idea of being a footballer is to face great champions and play important games."
"I spoke to President Andrea Della Valle two weeks ago and he said he was happy with my decision."
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Good on you, Nikola.
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