Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has admitted the financial lure of China is something regularly discussed in Premier League dressing rooms.
The Belgian is our current no.1 having usurped Loris Karius at the end of 2016 and will start this evening against relegation-threatened champions Leicester City…
But Mignolet says that he would consider a switch to China, solely for the money, in a refreshingly honest interview.
He told the Mirror: “You would be a hypocrite to say we don’t speak about it because it’s a big topic. Everybody’s speaking about it.
“You see the money and of course you talk about it.
“I’m a keeper and I don’t think they want any keepers.
“I know the next question is would you go to China – and the only answer you can give is that you don’t know unless you get an actual proposal.
“You can’t weigh up the pros and cons until you actually receive an offer.”
The Chinese transfer window is now closed of course and no giant offers were submitted for our 29-year-old stopper!
Whether he has a long-term future at Anfield is another issue. Jurgen Klopp likes Karius but had to take the young German out of the firing line following a string of poor performances, but you assume next season that the 23-year-old will get a chance to win his place back.
If this happens, Mignolet won’t be content with a spot on the bench and will likely look to leave. There’ll be no shortage of suitors for the keeper who’s coming into his prime years – and in reality – few Liverpool fans would be disappointed to see him exit after four tumultuous years between the sticks.