Real Madrid reportedly made a last minute demand for a transfer fee, despite initially agreeing to a free transfer.
The Chinese side then backed out of the deal, despite already agreeing terms with the Welsh international, according to manager Cosmin Olaroiu.
“The deal was very close to being agreed,” he told an interview with Dubai newspaper The National.
“The club had met and agreed a deal with his agent in Madrid, but then at the last minute, Real Madrid changed their mind. At first they were happy for us to just pay his wages, with no transfer fee, but that changed”.