Nigeria striker Benedict Akwuegbu, who was reportedly trying out for Tunisian club Esperance, has said he intends to remain in China with his club Shenyang until his loan period expires in November.

And speaking exclusively to BBC Sport Online, Akwuegbu said there was absolutely no truth in stories linking him to Tunisia.

"It's a big lie," the player said.

"After the World Cup I came back to China, and I've already played two league games and I'm doing really well.

"The Club president is very happy with me and wants me to stay for another season."

Return to Europe?

And he added that since he was contracted to Grazer it would be actually be illegal for him to move.

"I couldn't move now anyway because it would be against Fifa rules," he pointed out.

"When my contract in China runs out in November, I'll go back to Europe. I've had no contact with Esperance, I don't know the club, so I don't know how the story came up.

"I've never, never had any contact with anyone from there.

"I don't know where they get these stories from. How could I go to Esperance? I have a contract with Grazer until 2004, and they've only loaned me until November. It's crazy."

Akwuegbu added that if he did eventually move, he would prefer it to be to Europe and not Africa.

"I will see what happens. I will think about it, but maybe I would like to go back to Europe."