Diego Maradona offered multi-million pound deal to follow fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez to China
Legend's agent confirms that controversial icon could be set to cash in with a move to the Far East
DIEGO MARADONA looks set to follow countryman Carlos Tevez to the China in a multi-million pound deal.
The Argentine legend, 56, is regarded by many as the greatest-ever player after a career that peaked with World Cup glory in 1986.
And despite playing his last game 20 YEARS AGO, the money-laden Far East is attempting to bring one of football’s most controversial and iconic figures to their shores.
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Maradona’s lawyer, Matias Morla, told : “We have been analysing this situation for a while.
“The same people who took Carlos Tevez to China are very interested in having Diego and we already gave the OK and the meetings are more than advanced.
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“Now you have to wait to see how this goes.”
Maradona, however, will not be pulling his boots back on any time soon to line up in the Chinese Super League.
In fact, Morla claims that the Chinese president wants him to help develop football in schools around the country in a possible attempt to try and develop the next Maradona.
He has spent the last few years living in Dubai, helping the game develop there. Discussing his potential role in China, Morla explained: “Diego would be in charge of teaching in the different schools, it is a very important project and that without doubt could mark a before and after in a power like China.
“Maradona is excited about that possibility but there are steps to follow and we cannot ignore. First we have to go to Dubai and raise the situation to see how the contract is terminated and then start closing China.
“But things are on track and I see them in a very good way.”
Maradona became a figure of hate 31 years ago when his Hand of God goal helped eliminate England from the World Cup.
After failing a drugs test at the 1994 version, his international career ended with a total of 31 goals from 91 matches.
During his time in Italy playing for Napoli, he also tested positive for cocaine and left the club in shame in 1992.
He frequently used the drug from the mid-1980s until 2004, causing him a number of health problems in later life.