Liverpool fans will have been disappointed by the news that their recent target Alex Teixeira has instead opted for a move to China. His reported £38.4 million transfer to Jiangsu Suning was the third time in ten days that the Chinese transfer record has been smashed. It represents a clear statement by the Asian country that they mean (big) business in the Football world.
Liverpool lose out to Chinese
After Liverpool failed to reach an agreement on the purchase of 26-year-old Texeira in the January transfer window, the Chinese stepped in smartly.
The Brazilian attacking midfielder had started his career at Vasco da Gama before joining Shakhtar Donetsk in 2010. A prolific spell with the Ukrainian side had drawn admirers from across Europe but the lure of China proved too enticing it seems.
Chinese revolution continues
The Chinese Super League may not be everyone’s idea of the top level in football excellence. Ask most neutrals which league across the world that they believe offers the most exciting product for the fans and many will mention England’s Premier League no doubt. Others may point to the Champions League and Europa League success enjoyed by the La Liga stars in Spain. Although Bayern Munich usually set the pace in Germany, the Bundesliga is surely filled with technically talented individuals across the board.
Yet the Chinese clearly intend to change all of that in a short space of time. Although they may be unable to attract the global megastars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Gareth Bale at present, their intentions seem obvious.
Smashing Chinese transfer record
Jiangsu Suning had already put a marker down with the acquisition of the former Chelsea midfielder Ramires.
The 28-year-old current Brazilian international signed up to their footballing revolution after they tabled a £25 million offer. He ably demonstrated what Blues’ fans had lost by scoring with a neat volley on his debut in a recent friendly against Anzhi Makhachkala.
Not to be outdone, fellow Chinese side Evergrande Taobao snapped up Jackson Martinez in an audacious £31 million approach to top Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
The Colombian international had fallen out of favour at Atletico, yet at 29-years-old would surely have attracted attention from other top European club sides.
Start of something big?
Unlike the big money moves by the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard to America, the Chinese seem to be capable of bringing in players still in the prime of their careers. How many more will be lured to the East remains to be seen. But the Chinese will clearly have been delighted with their initial statement of intent.
