Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura and Benfica striker Jonas could join the influx of high-profile South American footballers to China.…
PSG winger Lucas Moura (Photo: AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura and Benfica striker Jonas could join the influx of high-profile South American footballers to China.
According to Brazilian player agent Rafael Scheidt, officials from Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan are in Europe to make contact with the players and their clubs, reports Xinhua news agency.
“They are in Europe to look at players and check their situation. They will then go back to China to make a decision,” Scheidt told Brazilian news service Uol.
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Moura and Jonas, capped 36 times and 12 times respectively for Brazil’s national team, have experienced contrasting fortunes in recent months.
Moura, 25, has fallen out of favour under Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery, having made just eight appearances across all competitions so far this season.
He is said to be considering leaving the French outfit in January to revive his hopes of a recall to Brazil’s national team ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Jonas, meanwhile, has scored 15 goals from 13 matches in Portugal’s top flight.
The 33-year-old’s agent and brother Tiago Goncalves said a move to China was unlikely but did not rule out the prospect.
“The offer would have to be a very good one for him to leave Benfica,” Goncalves said. “He has a good contract and plans to end his career at Benfica.”
Beijing Guoan, who finished ninth in the 2017 Chinese Super League standings, currently have two Brazilians in their squad: defensive midfielder Ralf and Brazil international midfielder Renato Augusto.
Ralf’s contract expires this month and the 33-year-old has been linked with 2017 Brazilian Serie A champions Corinthians and Rio de Janeiro side Vasco da Gama.
South American players to have joined the Chinese Super League in the past three years include Oscar, Carlos Tevez, Hulk, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Ramires and Jackson Martinez.
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