Is Cleo looking for a way out?

Striker frustrated at Evergrande but denies talking to other clubs

Brazilian striker Cleo said he has not had any contact with other clubs, responding to reports he plans to leave the Chinese Super League's Guangzhou Evergrande.

"In terms of possibly leaving, I have not talked to any clubs. I will wait and see what will happen after the season ends," Cleo (pictured) said after Guangzhou's scoreless draw against Tianjin Teda on Saturday.

Before the match, Cleo told the press he wanted to leave the club after he was ruled out of the squad for the upcoming AFC Champions League quarterfinals.

"I want to leave as a professional player, not as a person," he said.

Coach Marcello Lippi announced the squad for the quarterfinals last week, and newly introduced Paraguay international Lucas Barrios replaced the Brazilian striker.

"It is very hard to accept," Cleo said. "I discussed this issue with Lippi before I spoke to the press. He understands me and respects me. And I respect this decision."

Lippi may change his mind after Barrios was injured in a domestic league cup match on Wednesday.

"The coach has talked to me about the possible change in the squad," Cleo said.

Evergrande will play against Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia on Sept 19 in the AFC Champions League quarterfinals.

"I don't know what will happen in the near future," Cleo said. "Everything remains uncertain. Now I want to play better in the upcoming games."

Cleo has played well, with four goals in seven AFC Champions League matches this season, including the game-winner against FC Tokyo in the round of 16.

"I played very hard in the Champions League. I even played every game and scored lots of goals for the team," he said.

Cleo signed a four-year contract on Feb 9, 2011, with a transfer fee of 3.2 million euros ($3.99 million), then a league record.

Cleo scored 10 goals in 12 matches in the European Champions League before leaving for Guangzhou, helping his former club, Serbia's Partizan, qualify for the group stage.

"As a professional player, the most important thing for me is to compete in the Champions League, either in Europe or in Asia," Cleo said.

The Brazilian said he would go all-out for a chance to play in the AFC Champions League, even if his chances are slim.

"I am working hard for that," he said. "I am always ready when opportunities come along."

The team's fans still supported Cleo despite several missed chances to score on Saturday.

"Fans here like me and I like them very much," he said. "I am enjoying my life here. I do my best for the team when it needs me. I don't want to leave at this time."

After struggling with injury much of last season, Cleo helped the team claim the domestic league title by scoring 10 goals in 10 matches.

In another development, Paraguay international Barrios said he was considering a return to Europe after having become frustrated by his lack of playing time in the Chinese Super League after he joined the club in May.

Barrios told his official website last week that he has been contacted by many European clubs that want him.

"It is a nice experience (in China) ... the league is becoming more competitive ... But personally, due to the matter of the quotas for foreigners, I don't have the continuity that I need."

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/28/2012 page24)