Brazilian Serie A squad Santos Futebol Clube reportedly turned down the €11 million transfer fee offered by Chinese League One club Tianjin Quanjian FC to move striker Geuvânio Santos Silva, or simply Geuvânio, to China.
Sambafoot reported on Tuesday about Santos' refusal to accept the bid, saying that Tianjin's "€11 million offer was deemed low" by the Vila Belmiro residents.
However, the report also said that according to team president Modesto Roma Júnior, the Alvinegro Praiano is open to making the deal push through if the fee will be raised.
The exact amount of the counter-offer was undisclosed, but it was speculated as about €15 million.
Santos only owns 35 percent of the 23-year-old Ilha das Flores, Brazil native's economic rights, which means that they would have only received €4 million if the club accepted the initial €11 million offer.
The report continued that Geuvânio is ready to join Vanderlei Luxemburgo's side and "is happy with the €56,000 a week salary offered by Tianjin, and has agreed to play in China".
The only thing that remains in the way of the move is for Santos to accept the transfer offer and Tianjin is reportedly keen on obliging with the Brazilian club's request for a fee increase.
"On importing prominent foreign players, we will spare no effort," said Tianjin's general manager, as per China Daily.
Geuvânio had been with Santos all throughout his young five-year career. He has appeared in a total of 114 games for the Peixe in all competitions and have scored 24 goals. He was briefly sent on loan to Serie D squad Penapolense in 2013, playing 11 games and scoring a goal during his stint.