Beijing Guoan failed with an audacious summer move for Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, according to their honorary chairman.
Chinese clubs have been spending huge sums to lure players to the Super League over the past year.
Southampton's Graziano Pelle and Chelsea's Ramires are among a host of big names to have been tempted by the riches on offer in the Far East.
Beijing Guoan's honorary chairman, Lou Ning, has now revealed that his club made a bold attempt to bring Rooney out to China last summer.
However, the England captain rejected the offer because he wants to stay in the Premier League for as long as possible.