Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune FC had recently denied the rumors that the club offered La Liga giants Real Madrid $117 million to acquire the services of Colombian star James Rodriguez.
Speculations went out in the beginning of this season's winter transfer window that China top flight squad Hebei China Fortune was targeting the 25-year-old Colombia national team captain.
Rumors said that Hebei had given an initial proposal of €80 million ($85.3 million) to Real Madrid for Rodriguez's signature. With the Spanish club turning down the offer, Hebei said to have increased the bid to €110 million ($117 million), but Rodriguez "stepped in" to stop the negotiations, according to AS English.
Meanwhile, the Chinese squad said to have offered Rodriguez a yearly salary of €30 million ($32 million) to join them but he again refused. His current salary in Madrid is €3.5 million ($3.7 million) per year.
There are other rumors that Rodriguez had also rejected another offer from English Premier League club Chelsea to remain at the Bernabéu as purportedly advised by teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
With reports coming out regarding Rodriguez's snub of the China top flight's multi-million offer, an unnamed spokesperson from Hebei had also "refuted claims that they have made an approach to sign" Rodriguez this winter, as per ESPN.
"They linked us with Messi before, now we are 'after' James Rodriguez," the team's spokesman said. "Who's our next target? Cristiano Ronaldo?"
"We don't know who is spreading these rumors, but they step too far out of line. The club is not built to deny rumors. It's impossible for us to respond to totally fake news. Please don't take advantage of us to make headlines," the spokesman added.
Hebei is currently being coached by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini and has former Roma winger Gervinho, former Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta, and former Paris Saint-Germain Ezequiel Lavezzi as its foreign players.
Rodriguez has not found a secure place in Real's starting unit under head coach Zinedine Zidane, which is what is sparking rumors that he could leave the Spanish powerhouse anytime soon.
