HONG KONG, China, Feb 27 – A double blow of the coronavirus and a new salary cap has seen the bottom fall out of Chinese football’s transfer market, while Odion Ighalo led what could become an exodus of foreign stars.

Shanghai SIPG smashed the Asian transfer record when they signed Oscar from Chelsea three years ago for €60 million, with Hulk, Marouane Fellaini, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez all moving to China in recent years.

Their arrivals put Chinese football on the map and provoked consternation in Europe’s major leagues that Chinese clubs were distorting the transfer market with world-leading wages.

But with wages now capped at €3 million a year, and the Chinese Super League on hold over the coronavirus outbreak, China isn’t the destination it once was.

China’s winter transfer window looks poised to close with a whimper on Friday, with Chinese Super League clubs spending just €28 million so far, the lowest since 2011.

There were two notable departures with striker Ighalo joining Manchester United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua and Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco returning to Atletico Madrid from Dalian.

China’s domestic football is indefinitely suspended because of the virus outbreak, which has killed nearly 2,800 people in the country and has now spread around the world.

Harry Belford Spencer, co-founder of First Pick Group, a Shanghai-based sports advisory company, said the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus had put off prospective foreign signings and dissuaded Chinese clubs from doing business.

“You are not going to invest a lot of money as a club if you don’t really know what’s happening,” said the Briton, who is involved in the Chinese transfer scene.

“You are signing these players with the intention of them playing earlier (from the start of the season in February), and there’s now this delay.

“You don’t want to build up a big wage bill and that’s probably why you see a guy like Ighalo joining United because why would Shanghai Shenhua want him on their books paying a salary when they’re not playing football?”

– Cooling measures –

Even before now, China’s transfer market had begun to cool after the Chinese Football Association brought in measures to encourage clubs to develop youth players.

The most significant was a 100 percent tax on foreign signings of more than 45 million yuan (€6 million), introduced in 2017.

In December, the CFA said that foreign players could not earn more than €3 million a year after tax.

That torpedoed any chance of Gareth Bale, who was on the verge of joining Jiangsu Suning from Real Madrid last summer, coming to China.

The salary cap will not affect existing contracts — SIPG’s attacking midfielder Oscar is one of the best-paid players in the world on a reported €26 million a year.

But it will hit foreign players when it comes to renewing, meaning they are likely to look outside China when their current deals expire.

– ‘Difficult for clubs’ –

In a sign of how Chinese clubs’ spending has plummeted this winter, the most expensive transfer over the last two months was Brazilian Ricardo Lopes, who went to SIPG from Jeonbuk Motors for €5.46 million.

The outlay this winter is the lowest since the 2011 window, with CSL clubs relying on free transfers, loans or signings for nominal fees.

Nine of the 16 sides in the league have not spent a penny, including Fabio Cannavaro’s champions Guangzhou Evergrande, according to transfermarkt.com figures.

While foreign players are hesitant to come to China because of the virus, domestic transfers have also slowed considerably because of the impact on everyday life and difficulties clubs face trying to plan for a season that has no start date.

Spencer, who expects the transfer market to pick up somewhat once the health crisis eases, said: “The virus of course makes it difficult for clubs to take players in.

“Whilst lots of China isn’t affected, it’s a reality of: do you want to play in China at the moment?”

(Visited 6 times, 6 visits today)

%thecontent%%avatar%

%author%

%authornetworks%

%authordescription%

%authornetworks%

Comments

%sidebar%","opedarticle":"","sidead1":"ff","sidead2":"dd","sidead3":"","homestory":"

%title%

%game%%date%Read More--","taxonomyitem":"

%title%

%game%%date%Read More------","fixtureitem":"%name1%%score1%VS%score2%%name2%%time%","home":"rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn 1rn 2rn 3rn 4rn 5rn rn rn rn

u2018Commanderu2019 Okoth through to Tokyo Olympics

rn rn Footballrn rn rn Wednesday, 26th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn Read Articlern rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rnrnrnrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

More Headlines

rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

rn Kenyans falter at table tennis Olympic qualifierrn

rn rn Gamern rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

rn Juve fail to convince as pressure for European success growsrn

rn rn Footballrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

rn Real on the rocks as Zidane pins hopes on Clasico recoveryrn

rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

rn Liverpool post healthy profit despite transfer spendingrn

rn rn Footballrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

rn Chinese football transfer market collapses in face of coronavirusrn

rn rn Footballrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

rn Cavaliers sink 76ers as Embiid hurts shoulderrn

rn rn Basketballrn rn rn rn 5 hours ago rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rnrnrn rn rn

Most Popular

rn

• SportPesa announce change of its global sponsorships by ALEX ISABOKE NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 17 u2013 Hours after English Premier League…
• Wanyama, Samatta teammates at Aston Villa? by Timothy Olobulu NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 29 u2013 Aston Villa has emerged as…
• Gor boss Polack explains Kipkurui absence by Timothy Olobulu NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 7 u2013 Gor Mahia head coach Steve…
• Everton to terminate SportPesa contract by ALEX ISABOKE LONDON, United Kingdom, Feb 16 u2013 English Premier League side…
• Lavatsa makes Gor return as window shuts by Timothy Olobulu NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 1 u2013 Edwin Lavatsa has marked a…

rn rn rn rn rn rn

All Sports

rn trn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

Kenyans falter at table tennis Olympic qualifier

rn rn rn Gamern rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn rn

Juve fail to convince as pressure for European success grows

rn rn rn Footballrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn rn

Real on the rocks as Zidane pins hopes on Clasico recovery

rn rn rn rn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn rn

Liverpool post healthy profit despite transfer spending

rn rn rn Footballrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn rn

Nadal cruises into quarter-finals at Acapulco tennis

rn rn rn Gamern rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

Poll Question

rn rn ntnttnttntt

WILL ARSENAL FINISH TOP FOUR IN 2019/20 EPL SEASON?

ntt
• NO
ntt
• YES
ntt

View Results

ntnn Loading ...n rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

Chinese football transfer market collapses in face of coronavirus

rn rn rn Footballrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn rn

Cavaliers sink 76ers as Embiid hurts shoulder

rn rn rn Basketballrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn rn

‘It’s not over,’ Guardiola warns City after Madrid win

rn rn rn Footballrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn rn

Three things we learned from Real Madrid 1 Manchester City 2

rn rn rn Footballrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn rn

Tousart gives Lyon edge against below-par Ronaldo and Juventus

rn rn rn Footballrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn Read Morern rn rn rn rn rn --rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn Load More Storiesrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

Sponsored

rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn

Featured

rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn Capital Sportrn Kenyans falter at table tennis Olympic qualifierrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn AGENCE FRANCE PRESSErn Juve fail to convince as pressure for European success growsrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn AGENCE FRANCE PRESSErn Real on the rocks as Zidane pins hopes on Clasico recoveryrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn AGENCE FRANCE PRESSErn Liverpool post healthy profit despite transfer spendingrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn AGENCE FRANCE PRESSErn Nadal cruises into quarter-finals at Acapulco tennisrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rnrnttt","sidebar":"rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rnrnrnrn rn rn rntrn rn t

Most Popular

rn

• SportPesa announce change of its global sponsorships by ALEX ISABOKE NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 17 u2013 Hours after English Premier League…
• Wanyama, Samatta teammates at Aston Villa? by Timothy Olobulu NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 29 u2013 Aston Villa has emerged as…
• Gor boss Polack explains Kipkurui absence by Timothy Olobulu NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 7 u2013 Gor Mahia head coach Steve…
• Everton to terminate SportPesa contract by ALEX ISABOKE LONDON, United Kingdom, Feb 16 u2013 English Premier League side…
• Lavatsa makes Gor return as window shuts by Timothy Olobulu NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 1 u2013 Edwin Lavatsa has marked a…

rn rn rn rn trn rn rnrn rn rn rn t

Featured

rn rn trn rn rn rn rn Capital Sportrn Kenyans falter at table tennis Olympic qualifierrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn AGENCE FRANCE PRESSErn Juve fail to convince as pressure for European success growsrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn AGENCE FRANCE PRESSErn Real on the rocks as Zidane pins hopes on Clasico recoveryrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn AGENCE FRANCE PRESSErn Liverpool post healthy profit despite transfer spendingrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rnrn rn rn rn rn AGENCE FRANCE PRESSErn Nadal cruises into quarter-finals at Acapulco tennisrn rn rn Viewrn rn Thursday, 27th Feb 2020rn rn rn rn rn rn rn trn rn rn rn","articleerror":"

Oops...Something broke on our end

"},"messages":{"accessdenied":"Access to the account has been denied ","httperror":"Oops, something went wrong...please try again","contactgoogle":"Contacting Google","firsttime":"Seems this is your first time with this signin system. Please wait as we get your name","signinsuccess":"Cool. You're now signed in. This signin will close automatically now","pendingrequest":"Still communicating with the server","signedout":"Seems you were signed out. Try submitting again after you've been signed in","trackingerror":"Couldn't track Analytics","xhrnotconfigured":"To webmaster: Please confirm the xhr/ajax receptor is configured on the server","loadmore":"Load more stories"}}; /* ]]> */