FILE - This is a Tuesday Nov. 22, 2016 file photo of English referee Mark Clattenburg of Britain as he shows a yellow card to Juventus' Patrice Evra during the Group H Champions League soccer match between Sevilla and Juventus at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville, Spain. English referee Mark Clattenburg was soccer's most high-profile referee in 2016, presiding over the finals of the European Championship, Champions League and FA Cup. He spoke to The Associated Press about his year and career. (AP Photo/Miguel Morenatti, File)

FILE - This is a Tuesday Nov. 22, 2016 file photo of English referee Mark Clattenburg of Britain as he shows a yellow card to Juventus' Patrice Evra during the Group H Champions League soccer match between Sevilla and Juventus at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville, Spain. English referee Mark Clattenburg was soccer's most high-profile referee in 2016, presiding over the finals of the European Championship, Champions League and FA Cup. He spoke to The Associated Press about his year and career. (AP Photo/Miguel Morenatti, File)

Mark Clattenburg, who refereed the biggest finals in soccer in 2016, would consider a transfer from the English Premier League to the wealthy and ambitious Chinese Super League.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent by Chinese clubs on high-profile talent, including Argentina striker Carlos Tevez this week, in a bid to become a soccer superpower.

“China are certainly looking to develop their football, looking at their signings and their recruitment,” Clattenburg told The Associated Press. “If an opportunity came along — I am contracted to the Premier League — but I have to look at my long-term strategy of my career. How long can I last as a referee? I have been in the Premier League 12 years. It’s been a wonderful 12 years.

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“There is no offer on the table but if they made an offer it would be under consideration. But at the moment I still enjoy working for the Premier League and UEFA.”

The 41-year-old Clattenburg was linked with a move to China this week after refereeing the finals of the European Championship, Champions League and FA Cup this year. Clattenburg was named referee of the year at a soccer awards ceremony earlier this week in Dubai, an accolade which allowed Clattenburg to give a rare interview.

A referee leaving the English Premier League for China would emulate players, such as Chelsea midfielder Oscar who agreed a deal last week with Shanghai SIPG.

Clattenburg hopes when his career in the Premier League eventually ends he will be able to help a country like China raise refereeing standards.

“Money has never been a driver as a referee ... It’s about the drive of doing something different, maybe helping the recruitment,” Clattenburg said. “If it didn’t happen now I will be looking in the future at that, a bit like Howard Webb has done (in Saudi Arabia) where you are helping another country develop refereeing.

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“It’s important to have the right quality of referee to go with the level of football. China is going to become a huge player in years to come ... If they want to be serious about their league they are going to have to have the right setup. Refereeing is a huge part of football.”

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Full interview: https://apnews.com/98da8d702c524693a1c922faecbd8517

Rob Harris is at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and at www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports