Brazilian footballer Lucas Lima reportedly turned down a lucrative offer to play in China as he wants to pursue his dream of one day playing in one of the top European football clubs.

Four Four Two reported that the 25-year-old Santos FC attacking midfielder had rejected a "chance to earn £200,000 a month from a Chinese team in order to keep his dream of playing in Europe alive". It was also noted that Chinese Super League clubs Jiangsu Suning and Shanghai SIPG are interested in acquiring Lima this January transfer window.

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Aside from the Chinese giants, Italian Serie A squad Torino FC and Portuguese Primeira Liga team FC Porto are said to be fascinated by the 5-foot-9 Marília, Brazil native as well.

Numerous Brazilians have been lured by the big-money deals happening in China during this winter transfer window and many of whom have already finalized contracts with clubs from the far eastern nation. The latest of them is midfielder Ramires, who signed from Chelsea to Jiangsu Suning for £25 million.

Ralf and Renato Augusto recently transferred from Brazilian Serie A champs Corinthians to Beijing Guoan while teammate Gil also moved to Shandong Luneng Taishan. Meanwhile, São Paulo's Luis Fabiano, Corinthians Jadson, and Santos' Geuvânio have all recently moved to Chinese second division squad Tianjin Quanjian as well.

The report said that Lima is "not interested in the money on offer in a transfer to Asia" and that he trusts that his decision to remain with Santos will allow his to represent his country and ultimately land him to a team in Europe.

"It was a lot of money. If I speak here, they will call me crazy. I turned down more than €700,000 a month, nearly €1 million," Lima said, via Sambafoot. "Balance, it's like I said. I talked to my father, with my family. My father always says that money is not everything in life, it is also important to be happy.

"I will not say that I do not want money or to be rich, because I'd be lying. But the choices I make are for my happiness, which is playing football, and the dream of national team and Europe," he ended.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Lucas Lima, santos fc, Jiangsu Suning, Shanghai SIPG