Dimitri Payet used his Marseille unveiling to announce that he’ll be forcing through a move to China to ‘be closer to home’.
Payet only just moved from West Ham to Marseille but the 29-year-old said he was made aware of Chinese heritage on the plane over.
Speaking through interpreter Lee Satchell, Payet explained: “It turns out that I’m forty-fifth generation Chinese.
“I’d already signed the contract to join Marseille by the time my agent called me. It was too late to go back on the deal.
“I really want to point out that it’s got nothing to do with the £500,000-a-week contract that’s on the table.
“I’ve always held a burning desire to play alongside Zheng Zhi. He was my idol when I was growing up, daydreaming about returning to Beijing one day.
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“I want to get back to my real roots. I don’t even like Marseille, I just made that up to get away from Andy Carroll and James Collins.
“I’m going to be refusing to play for Marseille until my terms are met. And don’t try sticking me in the Under-23s either because I’m not turning up for that s***.
“So, if you’re listening Sven-Goran Eriksson and Marcello Lippi, give my agent a ring. He’s got your numbers on speed dial.
“I’m not bothered about what city I play in China. I’m sure I’ve got family ties in all of them. My only request is that I can bring my snake collection with me. They really help me settle in.”