The Chinese Super League’s European raid continues with the news that Dimitri Payet might be the latest start to move east.
Sky Sports News HQ are reporting that an unnamed Chinese club are ready to pay £38m for the midfielder – more than three times the £10.6m fee West Ham paid for the Frenchman over the summer.
Despite having a chronic fear of bubbles, Payet made an immediate impact at Upton Park, scoring five times and recording four assists in his first 10 league games.
The 28-year-old’s fine form has led to the Hammers already opening talks for a new contract, and the news of interest from China could push the Londoners to increase their offer.
The French international had earlier issued a statement on social media following reports over his alleged contract demands, which might give West Ham fans more cause for optimism.
I say & I repeat I'm proud to wear the shirt of west ham
My future is here and I hope for many years https://t.co/wgPZMQl9SN @whufc_official— Dimitri Payet (@dimpayet17) February 9, 2016
But the Chinese football revolution is real and players in Europe are flying east in their numbers. And it isn’t for the tea.
Demba Ba is with Shanghai Shenhua.
Alex Teixeira joined Jiangsu Suning despite all the talk of Liverpool buying him.
27-year-old Brazil international Paulinho left Spurs for Guangzhou Evergrande.
Asamoah Gyan is reportedly earning the most wages in the football world with Shanghai SIPG.
Gervinho is knocking around Hebei China Fortune.
Former Chelsea wonderkid and perennial next-big-thing Gael Kakuta is there along with him.
And you think it’s star-filled enough? Well…
Sky Sources: West Ham striker Nikica Jelavic close to agreeing deal to join Chinese second division side Beijing Ren He #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 9, 2016
John Terry’s apparently been offered crazy money to join the rise and it means that transfer rumours have just taken a whole new, multiply-it-by-a-billion turn. So, who’s next?
https://twitter.com/Bookieinsiders_/status/696957456577077248
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