Lavezzi out of PSG squad as China beckons

Paris - Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi will not be in the squad for the trip to Marseille on Sunday as he continues to be chased by Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

Shenhua seems determined to join in the recent spending spree in China, and it may offer Argentina international Lavezzi a deal worth €10 million a year.

When contacted by AFP, PSG said that "not all the conditions are ready yet" for a transfer. The transfer window closes in China on Feb. 26.

Chinese teams have made their financial muscle felt in recent weeks, with former Chelsea midfielder Ramires and Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez both moving to the Far East.

Shakhtar Donetsk striker Alex Teixeira, reportedly a Liverpool target, joined Ramires at Jiangsu Suning for a Chinese record of €50 million.

Colombian striker Martinez had broken the previous record fee when he signed for Guangzhou Evergrande.

The 30-year-old Lavezzi now could be set to continue the recent exodus from Europe to China, after only being given three Ligue 1 starts all season by PSG manager Laurent Blanc.

The runaway French league leader will attempt to increase its record unbeaten streak of 33 matches on Sunday at the Velodrome, where Marseille hasn't won in the league in nine outings.