Evergrande denies defaulting on Barrios' payments

Guangzhou Evergrande have paid former Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios his full amount and on time, the Chinese Super League club said Friday over the recent contract dispute.

The league champions have categorically denied the Paraguay international's claim that the club deprived him of "a substantial amount of the overall remuneration agreed upon in the contract", reports Xinhua.

"The club respected and fully carried out the terms of the contract. The club paid the player salary in full amount dating back from the day he was considered breaching contract," said a club official, who refused to be named.

The club said Barrios was supposed to be back Saturday after he flew home for a match against Chile but he failed to show up and missed three league matches as well as every training session until June 24. The club then considered the 28-year-old infringed the contract and have not made any payment since June 24. Both sides took the matter to FIFA.

Barrios is now linking with the Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, a move that worsened his relationship with the Chinese league leaders.