Brazilian striker Marinho eyes China move

Highly rated Brazilian striker Marinho is set to be the next high-profile Brazilian to move to China, according to media reports.

The 26-year-old has agreed in principal to join a Chinese Super League club in the coming days, according to Uol Esporte.

Marinho confirmed on Thursday that he is leaving Brazilian Serie A club Vitoria due to a "surreal" offer from a foreign club.

"In regards to whether I'm going to stay or leave, I want to say that I am ending a cycle here," Marinho told reporters.

"I will be grateful (to Vitoria) for the rest of my life. I appreciate the effort the club made to keep me here. But the proposal that I've received is surreal by Brazilian standards."

Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo were also interested in signing the forward but could not compete with the salaries offered in China, local media reports said.

Marinho scored 11 goals in 26 matches for Vitoria last year and was one of the main reasons why the club avoided relegation to Brazil's Serie B.

Other Brazilians playing in the Chinese Super League include Oscar (Shanghai SIPG), Paulinho (Guangzhou Evergrande) and Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan).

source: Xinhua