The frenzy around winter football transfers tends to die down with the closing of the window for major European clubs in the opening days of February, but this year was different. Vast sums continued to change hands for major stars right up to last week, and the super-clubs of England, Spain and Germany played only a passive role, if any.
The reason? China’s emergence as a power in club football.
The Chinese Super League has cropped up in football conversations for several years now, but until recently it was in the context of it being one of the sport’s so called ‘retirement homes’: lesser leagues, where prominent Europe-based players only go for a final bulging pay packet and a relatively easy ride.
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