Dalian Yifang striker Salomon Rondon says a move to West Ham was never a serious option.
Rondon left West Brom this month after a season on-loan with Newcastle United.
With Newcastle out of the running, West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini — who previously managed Rondon at Malaga — made an approach to the Baggies.
But Rondon admitted to The Sun: “We never saw a proper offer.
“I was waiting to see if Pellegrini would call and say, 'Do you want to come to West Ham? We have a good project. We are trying to go to the Europa League'.
“But I never received that call and Rafa was calling me all the time, so I chose to go to China.
“I can play again in the Premier League one day because I am the kind of striker people like in England — scores goals, works really hard, runs, fights with the defender.
“But I am now thinking about Dalian with Rafa. It's an amazing country and I am really happy."