Shanghai Shenhua have turned down Dutch champions PSV
Eindhoven's loan bid for Sun Xiang.
The Dutch side announced on Monday they would sign the Chinese
international full back on loan for $187,500 with a view to a
$1,250,000 transfer, but Wu Yinan, general-manager of Shenhua,
nixed the deal.
"We are not going to release the player," said Wu. "I think it
is very risky for Sun and also for the club to join PSV on
loan."
Another Shenhua player Du Wei was in a similar position in 2005
with Scottish side Celtic, who took him on loan but eventually
decided not to make the deal permanent.
Wu expressed concern Sun will be in the same situation.
"We are not a club only focused on money, $187,500 or $200,000,
that's not what we want the most," he said. "As manager of the
club, I always support my players going overseas but I don't want
Sun to be sacked after six months like Du, that's a complete waste
of time."
The Shanghai side will seek to go one better at home this year
after their qualification for the Asian Champions League. The
upcoming tight schedule is believed to be another reason for not
releasing Sun.
The 24-year-old joined PSV's training camp in November last year
with his twin brother Sun Ji.
The duo had already been invited for a trial at PSV earlier in
2005, but did not attend due to Chinese Super League
commitments.
Sun Xiang also trained with English Premier League side Wigan
Athletic in 2005.
(China Daily January 10, 2007)