Cape Town - Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has revealed that he rejected a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League.
There are major question marks over Ozil’s future at the Emirates, with the German international approaching the final 12 months of his Gunners contract.
However, if Ozil is to leave the Emirates, then it doesn’t appear he will be joining other European big names in moving to China.
Ozil says he has previously been approached about a move to the CSL, but wasn’t tempted by the riches on offer.
"Money never played a big role for me in football,'' he told Goal.
"I play football because I love it. Sure, you do not earn peanuts and the offer from China was tempting and interesting.
"But as I said: Money is not everything. I want to win titles and I have my goals I want to achieve. That is more important than money.
“That's why I said from the beginning that China is not an option for me.''
Ozil will be looking to play a key role when the Gunners welcome Manchester United to the Emirates on Sunday in an English Premiership clash.
Kick off is at 17:00.