The January transfer window is shut in England, so it’s time for managers up and down country to relax and focus on the tasks at hand on the pitch… or is it?
The drama of the transfer window may not be over with the small matter of the Chinese Super League transfer deadline set for February 28th.
CSL clubs throwing money around has been a recurring theme of this transfer window, and a few previous, with players like Oscar and Odion Ighalo all making the switch to Asia. With another month to pick their targets, there could be another few big names making moves east in the coming weeks.
From midtable plodders and relegation battlers to English giants, nobody is immune to the kind of cash that can take almost any player in the world to China, so long as they are willing to take a hit to their reputation with supporters.
Here are FIVE Premier League stars that could still make a massive move to China before the end of the month…
Wayne Rooney
With The Mirror recently reporting there’s still an eye-watering £140m over three years on the table for Wayne Rooney to make a China move, there’s every chance the Manchester United legend could take the money and leave the club before the end of the month.
One of Rooney’s big motivating goals in recent times has been overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record at United and he did that recently, scoring his 250th for the club with a last-minute equaliser against Stoke City.
With that behind him and all the winner’s medals there are to be claimed at club level in his collection, a big money move to China could well be tempting. He has nothing left to prove in the game.
He still has the ability to be effective on his day for United so leaving mid-season would be a blow to Mourinho’s ambitions, especially with the club fighting on four fronts.
His manager himself has cooled speculation of a transfer, but nothing can be ruled out.
Troy Deeney
After his team-mate Odion Ighalo dramatically moved to Changchun Yatai on Deadline Day, Troy Deeney has subsequently admitted that any offer from China would tempt him too.
Speaking to talkSPORT in the wake of Watford’s big win against Arsenal, Deeney said:
“I’ve got the Mrs and two kids to feed and if they’re going to throw that stupid money around I think everyone will definitely look at it. Iggy has gone out there now, and it’s probably the best solution for him and his family.”
While there are no offers from China for Deeney currently reported, that kind of comment about his willingness to make the move, or at least be open to offers, could alert clubs in Asia.
He has the goal pedigree to make a splash in the Chinese Super League and with six Premier League goals this term, including a recent high-profile one at the Emirates, he could attract attention sooner rather than later.
Ashley Young
Ashley Young was a reported target for Shandong Luneng in the final weeks of the transfer window and while he didn’t decide to make the move before the deadline, there’s obviously still time to change his mind.
Young has found his first-team opportunities at United limited since Mourinho came to the club and with less than 18 months left on his contract has his future to think about. Given he isn’t playing much and is also 31, the chances of a bumper new deal at Old Trafford seem slim.
The wide-man has 15 years to his name in professional English football, including twelve in the Premier League and has achieved plenty, including a league title, an FA Cup and a PFA Young Player of the Year award.
With a distinguished career behind him, who would begrudge one last pay day?
John Terry
Speaking of distinguished careers, John Terry’s Chelsea story has been a fairytale from start to finish. Incredibly, he made his Blues debut way back in 1998 and has been a one-club man ever since, leading his side through the greatest period of success in their history.
With a massive 14 major honours to his name as Chelsea captain, including the Champions League and Europa League, he’s done it all at Stamford Bridge.
His long association with the club could be coming to an end though with numerous reports, like this one in The Sun, linking him with a mega-money move to China.
It would be a deserved final chapter in his illustrious career and at 36 he probably doesn’t have too long left at the top level anyway.
Alexis Sanchez
Of all the players on the list, an Alexis Sanchez move to China would be the most controversial by far. In the prime of his career at Arsenal and pushing for major honours, he’s simply too good not to be playing at the top level.
That might not stop him, though, with reports in December suggesting he had been offered an incredible £500k-per-week to make the switch from the Emirates Stadium to China.
Given he still hasn’t signed a new deal at Arsenal, the fact his contract runs out next year is a cause for concern for Gunners fans.
His impact at Arsenal has been enormous and this season alone he’s scored 17 goals, assisting another eleven in just 30 appearances. Losing that kind of firepower this month would be a disaster for the club and Wenger must do everything in his power to keep him at the Emirates long-term.
