Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce said he turned down a mouth-watering offer from a Chinese Super League (CSL) club. The Asian club made their proposal after he was fired as England manager in September.
The 62-year-old says he’s shocked at the sudden rush to China following Oscar’s recent switch to Shanghai SIPG for £52 million.
“Money talks,” the former West Ham manager told UK’s Daily Star.
Image shows the former Chelsea player, Oscar, who currently plays for Shanghai SIPG.
“I didn’t go. I could have gone. I preferred to stay here. It’s difficult for a player for a player or club to turn that down.
“It’s just the way of the world and changing forces in the football world.
“China has decided it wants to be a force and have decided the way to do it is to buy the best players and pay over the odds. Time will tell if it’s the right thing to do.”
Big Sam said he’s worried that the weird spending habits of most Chinese clubs may turn out disastrous for top flight football. He believes the round leather game will be doomed if big stars are lured away for the money.
“We didn’t want to lose Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo (to Spain),” he advised.
Two Chinese clubs – Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao and Beijing Guoan – were reported to have offered a £700,000 per week contract to have England captain, Wayne Rooney.
“But it’s a small world today in football terms and players will pick up their boots and travel,” Big Sam bemoaned the ugly trend.
“What we have to do is encourage the growth of our younger players and produce better talent.”