AC Milan striker Luiz Adriano has denied his move to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning fell through because he changed his salary demands.
The Brazilian had flown out to China for a medical and to sign a lucrative contract, even posing for a photograph with a Jiangsu Suning scarf.
However, the 28-year-old, who was due to return to training on Thursday, said the figures on the paperwork did not add up.
"It's not true what people are saying," Luiz Adriano told Calciomercato.it. "I didn't ask for more money as soon as I had arrived in China. The truth is I was not given any guarantee at all over my salary.
"They did not want to put the right figures on the contract and that is not the way I work, and that is why I have not joined Jiangsu Suning."
His return to Milan could spell bad news for Stephan El Shaarawy, who was tipped to return to the Rossoneri this winter after becoming surplus to requirements at Monaco.
The French club took the Italian on loan in the summer with an agreement that they would make the move permanent after 25 appearances.
Having fielded him 24 times, Monaco are now reluctant to select him for a 25th game as it would reportedly oblige them to pay €14 million to make the move permanent.
"Right now, he can't come back," Milan's general manager, Adriano Galliani, said. "Either he stays at Monaco or we'll find another club for him. With Luiz Adriano back, we have too many players again."