By Colin Ng, Goal Singapore
The Vietnam star impressed during his loan stint at J2 League side Consadole Sapporo. Photo from Goal.
After much deliberation, Vietnam side Song Lam Nghe An has rejected J2 League side Consadole Sapporo’s US$240,000 (SGD$304,000) offer for striker Le Cong Vinh.
The 28-year-old, who was on loan at the Japanese side for four months recently, will stay at his parent club to prepare for the upcoming Vietnamese league season.
SLNA club director Nguen Hong Thanh has also declared that Le is no longer for sale even if bigger offers are forthcoming.
“I have also learnt that Consadole Sapporo are willing to pay even US$300,000, but money is not everything,” Nguen told Tuoi Tre News.
“We will love to see Le Cong Vinh stay and be our team captain. We won’t sell him at any cost.”
Although Sapporo’s bid of had triggered a release clause in Le’s contract allowing them to discuss terms, Le had preferred to stay in Vietnam, according to Nguen.
“Moreover, Cong Vinh himself has the right to leave (by ending the current contract) but he chose to stay with us for the last year on his contract and we respect his decision,” Nguen explained.
However Le, who has 56 caps and 31 goals for the Vietnamese national team, did not close the door on a future move, although he cited his roots to the club as a reason to return to his first club.
Read the full story by Colin Ng from Goal Singapore.
