Scolari reportedly on Dalian’s radar
Luiz Felipe Scolari is weighing up a return to China as coach of Dalian Yifang, according to reports in Brazil.
The 70-year-old, who enjoyed three glorious years in charge of Guangzhou Evergrande from 2015-17, has been approached by Dalian officials about the possibility of replacing current boss Bernd Schuster, Globo Esporte reported on Sunday.
However, it is understood Scolari is reluctant to quit his job as manager of Palmeiras, which he last year steered to its 10th Brazilian Serie A title, having taken charge in July when the team was sixth in the standings.
Dalian finished 11th in the CSL last season after winning promotion the previous term.
Scolari is highly regarded in China after guiding Evergrande to three successive Chinese Super League titles, one AFC Champions League crown, the Chinese FA Cup and two Super Cups.
Dalian, however, isn’t the only club circling for Scolari’s services, with Argentina’s Boca Juniors and the Colombian national team also trying to prise him away from the Sao Paulo giant.
After news of Colombia’s interest surfaced in early December, former Chelsea and Portugal boss Scolari said: “Over the past 20, 25 years, I have spent 80 percent of my time outside Brazil. So I need to think about certain family aspects.
“I also have another family: the Palmeiras family. The way in which they respected me, received me, the connection between Palmeiras fans, I need to think.
“You need to know that, when you are in a place where you are respected, it is worth more than other values and situations you have thought about.”
Dalian appears to be upping its recruitment drive on the player front, too.
Last month, The Daily Mail reported that coveted Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha was a target for the Liaoning province club.
The 26-year-old Zaha was heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
China calling for Quintero
Meanwhile, Colombia international midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero has said that he is open to a move to China amid reports linking him with Shanghai Shenhua.
The 25-year-old is expected to make a decision on his future in the coming days following a meeting with officials from Argentina’s River Plate, where he spent 2018 on loan from Porto.
“I don’t want to think about China yet but I can’t deny that it’s a possibility,” Quintero told reporters in his home city of Medellin, where he is on vacation.
Quintero, who is contracted with Porto until 2021, enjoyed a successful 2018 for both club and country.
He was among Colombia’s best players at the World Cup in Russia, where Los Cafeteros were eliminated by England on penalties in the last 16.
Earlier this month, Quintero helped River Plate win the Copa Liberatadores, scoring a late goal in the rearranged second leg of the final against Boca Juniors in Madrid.
River has the option of securing Quintero on a permanent deal but is also understood to be considering another 12-month loan.
“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to the president of River and the coach. They know my situation and I hope on January 5 to come to Argentina, meet with them and come to the best possible agreement for everyone,” he said.
Shenhua, which finished seventh in the CSL last term, currently has two Colombians in its squad: midfielders Fredy Guarin and Giovanni Moreno.