Chinese Star Sun Jihai Draws European ScoutsChinese top soccer club Dalian Shide confirmed on Saturday that Italian giant clubs have expressed their interest in its international defender Sun Jihai.Lin Lefeng, vice chairman of Dalian Shide, said Italian Serie A teams AC Milan and Turin have been running after Sun and negotiations are in progress. "Both AC Milan and Turin want Sun Jihai and his transfer is being discussed," said Lin. "But it is only in the phase of negotiation and whether we will make a deal is unknown until the World Cup Asian Zone qualifiers end," he added. Sun, who is currently playing the World Cup Asian Zone qualifiers, made a clever pinpoint pass to Qi Hong, who headed home for China's 1-0 away victory over the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. China will reach its first ever World Cup finals if it wins one of the remaining three games - against Oman, Qatar and Uzbekistan. The 25-year-old Sun came short of completing a deal with England Premier side Newcastle United early this year when he was delayed from moving abroad by the World Cup duties. "Sun could have played in the England Premier League this season if he hadn't been needed by the Chinese national side," Lin said. "Dalian had signed an agreement with the Newcastle United but the subsequent World Cup qualifiers prevented him from moving abroad." Another Chinese international Li Tie, who plays for Chinese first division club Liaoning Fushun, is reported to be transferred to the Dutch top side Amsterdam Ajax. Liaoning chairman Zao Guojun confirmed that Ajax has shown " keen interest" in the 24-year-old midfielder. Ajax had sent officials early last month to negotiate Li's transfer, but the Liaoning club preferred Li to join an Italian Series A or English Premier League team, said Liaoning general manager Cheng Penghui. |
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