Wellington Phoenix have failed to land former Inter Milan and Newcastle United football star Obafemi Martins for their A-League roster.
Last week, new coach Mark Rudan confirmed he was talking to Martins, who was a former teammate of Phoenix defender Steven Taylor at Newcastle. The Nigerian international is contracted to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, but is currently recovering from a hamstring injury.
Australian agent Ante Alilovic, who has acted as intermediary between the Phoenix and Shenhua, has told 'The World Game' website Martins, 33, will return to England for ongoing treatment.
"I've spoken with Obafemi and he just wants to continue to rehabilitate from his injury in the UK for the time being," said Alilovic.
"I don't think the A-League is a serious option in terms of what he can earn elsewhere. He won't be coming to Australia and I think he sees his future remaining in China."
Martins' current contract is worth AU$9 million (NZ$9.87 million), considerably more than the Phoenix could offer him.
Wellington hoped to sign Martins on a guest-player contract, with Football Federation Australia matching their contribution dollar for dollar.
Newshub.
