Monday, 6th February, 2012
French striker Nicolas Anelka has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Paris Saint-Germain last month in favour of signing for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.
Anelka decided to call time on his four-year spell with Chelsea in January, after coming to the conclusion that his future lay in the untapped riches of the quickly growing Chinese football scene.
Indeed, the 32-year-old was not moving to Shanghai simply because he did not have attractive offers to remain within Europe, as he has now confirmed.
"An intermediary of the (Qatari) prince contacted me, but I refused", said the striker to the microphones of Canal+.
"I know the French mentality, they would have tired me out, so it did not interest me", he added.
Anelka is thought to have been made the second highest player in world football by Shanghai Shenhua, behind only Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto’o.
The Blue Devil are targeting Chinese Super League glory this season, having also appointed former Bordeaux boss Jean Tigana as the club’s new coach.
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