Newly-promoted Chinese Super League team Hebei China Fortune had reportedly offered €15 million to Brazilian Serie A squad Clube Atletico Mineiro for the services of Argentine striker Lucas Pratto, recent reports say.

Hebei outbid five-time CSL winners Guangzhou Evergrande, who previously submitted a €13 million proposal for the 27-year-old forward, as per Xinhuanet.

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Meanwhile, Sambafoot noted that "Atletico Mineiro find themselves in a situation where it's nearly impossible to reject a proposal like this" as the Chinese giants continue their big-money spending in this year's winter transfer window.

The Samba Kings, who finished as runner-ups to Yanbian Fude in China League One last season, have already pulled off two big international signings late last month, snagging Ivorian forward Gervinho from Italian Serie A side Roma for €18 million and Cameroonian defensive midfielder Stéphane Mbia from Turkish Süper Lig club Trabzonspor at an undisclosed fee.

If the deal pushes through, it would be the third international signing of Hebei and so they could add just one more.

There are rumors that the Chinese club is also interested in Brazilians Anderson and Elias, who are now currently suited up for Brazilian Serie A squads Sport Club Internacional and Sport Club Corinthians Paulista respectively, although there are no official bids that have been submitted yet.

Prato was signed by Galo to a four-year deal in December of 2014. Before that, he had also played for Italian Serie A club Genoa CFC and Argentina Primera Division team Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield where he had his most productive seasons.

The La Plata, Argentina native spent four-and-a-half seasons with Vélez Sarsfield, appearing in a total of 128 games in all competitions and scoring 43 goals.

He has played 54 games so far for Atletico Mineiro this season and has scored an impressive 22 goals under head coach Diego Aguirre.

Prato began his senior career with Argentine club Boca Juniors in 2006 when he was only 18 years old where he was loaned from team to team in four years of being there. 

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Chinese Super League, Hebei China Fortune, Atletico Mineiro, Lucas Pratto