Back page The Chinese Super League (CSL) is high on the list of enemies for many Premier League fans, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa regularly linked with a move there.
Costa’s former team mates Oscar, Ramires and Jon Obi Mikel have already jumped ship, and despite claiming top honours in England this season, many believe that the Spanish international will join them.
Chelsea are still one of the favourites for next year’s title, and you can back them with an offer from this bet365 mobile app review, but the loss of their top scorer would hurt.
Indeed, Manchester City (2.87) and Manchester United (4.00) are currently at shorter odds than the Stamford Bridge club to be the 2017/18 Champions.
There is a chance that their current price of 4.33 will drift further should they part ways with a striker who netted 20 times in the league alone.
Other ex-Premier League players currently running around the CSL include Carlos Tevez, Gervinho, Paulinho, Graziano Pelle, Papiss Cisse, and Obafemi Martins.
But who is next? We take a look at four players who could be swayed by the lure of Chinese cash.
Diego Costa – Chelsea
As mentioned, this rumour has been doing the rounds all season, and there was fuel added to the fire when there was a reported bust up between Costa and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte earlier this year.
Just last month, The Express ran with a story which stated that Costa would sign for Tianjin Quanjian and become the highest paid player in the world, earning a jaw dropping £620,000 a week.
Given his superb form for Chelsea on their way to the Premier League, and the fact that he is still only 28 years of age, a switch to a vastly inferior competition would leave many shaking their heads in disappointment.
More recent speculation has linked Costa with a return to former club Atletico Madrid once their current transfer ban expires in January 2018.
Moussa Sissoko – Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United were laughing all the way to the bank when they received £30 million for a player whose lacklustre performances contributed to their relegation from the Premier League.
There’s no doubting the 27-year-old’s ability but his good performances for France at Euro 2016 haven’t transferred to new club Tottenham Hotspur.
Indeed, Sissoko was dropped by Mauricio Pochettino’s in November, with the manager stating that “he needs to work hard and show in the future he deserves to be involved in the team”.
That sounds like a lot of effort though, and he’d get away with doing just as much to earn more in China.
Samir Nasri – Manchester City
There is simply no room for a player like Samir Nasri in Pep Guardiola’s system at Manchester City, and the Frenchman spent last season on loan at La Liga side Sevilla.
Nasri turns 30 later this month and his next contract in Europe is unlikely to earn him anything close to the £120,000 he is believed to be on per week at City.
There is still two years left to run on his existing deal at the Etihad Stadium so he could be loaned out for at least another campaign, but City may also be willing to cut their loses should a reasonable offer come in.
Nasri’s ability has never been in question and he still has plenty to contribute should he put his mind to it.
Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Another name that has been doing the rounds for a long time when it comes to Chinese speculation, and the current Manchester United captain certainly appears to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
The 31-year-old has had to settle for a bit-part role under Jose Mourinho so far, and has openly stated that he wouldn’t play for another Premier League club other than Everton.
His stock is unlikely to be very high on the European market so the CSL or Major League Soccer (MLS) could be very real possibilities.
With United being linked with a deal for Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic still on the books, Rooney’s 13-year spell in Manchester could end sooner rather than later.
