Roma winger Stephan El Shaarawy has denied reports that he will accept a move to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.
With just one year left on his contract, El Shaarawy had been linked with a move away from Roma, despite widely being considered the club’s best player last season. Reports suggested that the 26-year-old was the subject of interest from China, where he would be offered eye-watering wages.
Despite initial suggestions that he would be willing to accept the move, it has since been claimed that El Shaarawy has decided to stay in Europe – something which he has now confirmed to La Repubblica.
“I don’t feel like leaving Europe,” he admitted. “I still want to play football at a more important level. It’s too early – I’m not even 27 – to make such a drastic choice.”
Sporting director Gianluca Petrachi may now turn his attentions to renewing El Shaarawy’s contract, before its expiration next summer.
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