Javier Mascherano has joined the long list of top class football players attracting bids from Chinese clubs.
The Argentine reportedly rejected a mouth-watering offer from an unnamed Chinese club. In a spectacular behavior as a gentleman, Mascherano refused to use the bid as a ransom against his current club, Barcelona.
According to Mundo Deportivo, an emerging Chinese side made Mascherano an offer of €50m, which would have seen the defender-midfielder become a public figure in the country. The contract would have come with “infinite possibilities to exploit his image and make more money”.
However, the ‘Little Chief’ as he is called, reportedly rejected the deal because he feels there’s a lot more to give La Blaugrana. The player considered he has to remain loyal to Barcelona no matter what attractive offer he gets from other clubs.
His reason isn’t far from the troubles he faced years ago in his career before taking a pay cut to join Barcelona in 2010. His current contract was signed in 2014 and will expire until in 2018.
“The idea is remain committed to this club until the last day of my contract. Hopefully I can keep up,” he said upon penning his renewal.
Mascherano, who turns 32 in June, is also understood to have opted against informing Barca of the offer as he had no intentions of using it as leverage for improved terms.
This would have been a good threat for the Spanish club if the player decides to make a move to the Asian country.
