Dong Fangzhuo can move to United for free: Dalian manager
(Football Asia, Hong Kong)
Updated: 2003-10-29 14:34

Dalian Shide team manager Lin Lefeng confirmed English Premiership champions Manchester United have made a firm bid for young starlet Dong Fangzhuo and while the offer is not quite up to scratch, Lin said there are plenty of other options to be uncovered.

In fact, such is Dalian's confidence in Dong's ability that Lin has openly declared that the player will be allowed to go on a long term loan move for free, an option that quite simply, exuberates Dalian's conviction that a firm deal will be sealed eventually.

"What United had offered is not meant to be disclosed but I can assure you its more than one million pounds we are talking about here," said the former China international. "Dalian would not mind striking a loan deal because we see no harm in such an arrangement for the player in question.

"For the benefit of the team as well as for the player, the club insist that the player be allowed to move on a long-term deal. As long as that is agreed upon, the price is inconsequential."

Manchester City defender Sun Jihai is of Dalian origin and after breeding one of China's current leading internationals, Dalian are confident Dong can help continue the club's ambition of constantly producing top class players.

"We hope we can get Dong to England. We don't mind a three to five year loan deal and as part of the club's sincerity, we are willing to allow letting the player go for free on loan.

"We hope the deal can be struck when the transfer window reopens in January. It is not money that we are after. We have ambitions far beyond a player transfer. We have sent Sun Jihai to the Premiership and if Zhao makes it as well, that only means the club is continuing to make strides on the international front."