Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi (#22) competes for the ball against two Bolivia defenders. (Photo : Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain winger Ezequiel Lavezzi is reportedly close to complete his Chinese Super League move to Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC as his contract with the French champions is set to expire at the end of this season.
Fox Sports reported that Lavezzi is "on the verge of moving to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua" in this winter transfer window as the 30-year-old Argentina international has also allegedly decided to pass up offers from English Premier League side Chelsea and Italian Serie A club Inter Milan.
Lavezzi has been with the Ligue 1 giants for four seasons now, appearing in a total of 163 games in all competitions and scoring 35 goals in the process. He also suited up for Italy's SSC Napoli for five seasons from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012, playing in 188 games and scoring 48 times in all competitions as well.
NBC Sports noted that the Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Argentina native could receive an annual salary of $11 to 15 million from the Chinese club, but the transfer fee is still undisclosed as of this moment.
Meanwhile, SkySports indicated that "PSG manager Laurent Blanc has confirmed that winger Ezequiel Lavezzi is set to leave the club", which basically strengthens the rumors of his transfer to China.
Blanc disclosed after Les Parisiens 2-1 victory at Marseille on Sunday that Lavezzi did not travel with them as he was already negotiating for his release from the club.
"Honestly, the club could tell you a lot more than me," said the 50-year-old French head coach. "He prepared to come here to Marseille and then at the last minute he stayed in Paris to negotiate his departure."
Blanc also said that the club "already anticipated" as they have allowed Pocho (Lavezzi's nickname) to negotiate with other teams during this season's winter transfer window.
"The club is discussing it with Pocho's people. We'll have to think about it, given that if we lose one player we won't be able to replace him," he ended.
If the deal will push through, Lavezzi is set to become the latest big-name South American signing of the China top flight following Ramires, Jackson Martinez, and Alex Teixeira.
The Chinese winter transfer window closes on Feb. 26.
