Sam Allardyce rejected chance to take on Chinese Super League club
Friday 30 December 2016 15:42, UK
Sam Allardyce turned down the chance to manage in China to return to the Premier League with Crystal Palace.
Chinese Super League clubs are throwing money around at managers and players alike, with Argentina striker Carlos Tevez the latest to make a big-money move to Asia with Shanghai Shenhua.
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Chelsea forward Oscar is leaving for Shanghai SIPG for £60m and an unnamed Chinese club is reported to have launched a £257m bid to tempt Cristiano Ronaldo away from Real Madrid.
Allardyce, speaking before Crystal Palace take on Arsenal on Sunday, revealed he had also been approached about a move to China after his reign as England manager was brought to an abrupt end.
"Did I have an offer? Yes. I didn't go. I could have gone but I preferred to stay here," Allardyce said.
"It's difficult for a player or a 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 has 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."
"Money talks. But if we lose the top, top players from the Premier League then absolutely (it will suffer).
"We didn't want to lose Gareth Bale, or Ronaldo. But it's a small world today in football terms and players will pick up their boots and travel.
"What we have to do is encourage the growth of our younger players and produce better talent."
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