Conte: China offer for Ronaldo morally wrong

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has questioned the morals behind the stunning transfer fees luring players to the Chinese Super League following a reported bid for Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

After Oscar swapped Chelsea for CSL powerhouse Shanghai SIPG – now coached by Andre-Villas Boas – and Carlos Tevez moved to Shanghai Shenhua in a staggering deal, agent Jorge Mendes claimed Ronaldo was the subject of a €300million transfer offer from an unnamed Chinese club.

Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo turned down the approach in order to remain with European champions Madrid.

However, Conte refuses to believe the figures being bandied about for Ronaldo’s services in China.

“I think it’s an incredible story. We are talking about a lot, lot, lot of money. I don’t want to trust in this,” Conte said ahead of Saturday’s hosting of Stoke City in the Premier League.

“I don’t want to believe in this. Because, I think, we are talking about an amount of money which is not right.

“I saw the last contract, the last contract with Carlos Tevez. I think we are talking about a lot of money. This type of offer is incredible and it’s very difficult for the players to say ‘no’.

“But I must be honest, I think it’s not right. It’s not right, this. Because you must have respect for the money and then if there are these offers, this type of offer… but I don’t agree, I don’t agree with this situation.”