The Chinese Super League continues to pick up steam with the signings of many high-profile players from Europe, but a striker from the Serie A is staying put despite the mega offer tabled.
Nikola Kalinic has confirmed he's rejected a reported 12 million euro-a-year deal from China to remain in Italy.
Tianjin Quanjian were hoping to secure the Croatian to a lucrative contract until he experienced a change of heart.
Following a miserable stint in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, Kalinic sealed a move to Ukraine before winding up with Fiorentina.
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And he's proved to be quite the hit. The 29-year-old scored 12 goals last campaign but has already bagged eight goals in seventeen appearances this season.
Kalinic reiterated his desire to continue plying his trade in one of the major European leagues while admitting he had the final say.
"I'll stay at Fiorentina! It is my decision, only mine!" He told Sportske novosti via Goal.
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After joining them in 2015, he's settled in Florence; "I want to play in Italy, in the club I've been with for the last two years and I feel really comfortable."
There was huge pressure to sell me, I felt everyone was pushing me to China. Not the club but the press and people, the atmosphere was created that I should go - they wanted to get rid of me. I never said I would love to go
Despite wanting to stay, Kalinic did confess he had to consider the offer before ultimately turning it down;
"Of course I considered it when I saw the offer, but not once did I say I would like to go! I don't know how much Tianjin offered to Fiorentina, I got an offer for me and decided to stay. This is my final decision!"
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That's loyalty!
Featured Image Credit:Topics: CSL