Roma winger Stephan El Shaarawy says he rejected China because ‘I still want to play the most important football. It’s too early...’
El Shaarawy appeared to be all set for a lucrative switch to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, where he stood to earn over €10m a season.
However, the 26-year-old has since turned down the offer and he explained to La Repubblica the motives for his decision.
“I don’t feel like leaving Europe,” he maintained.
“I still want to play the most important football. It’s too early, not even at 27, to make such a drastic choice.”
The Italy international has only a year left on his contract with Roma, with efforts to extend it so far proving fruitless.
He scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 28 Serie A appearances for the Giallorossi last season.