Make no mistake about it, the Chinese Super League is on the rise.
The Far East top flight slingshot itself to the forefront of global fame earlier this year by attracting a number of high profiles from the European game, enticing them into shock moves with large transfer fees and even larger salaries.
Indeed, the likes of Ramires, Jackson Martinez, Alex Teixeira, Hulk and Graziano Pelle all jumped ship in 2016, while Oscar has left Chelsea for Shanghai SIPG of late to take the next step of his career out of Europe.
Apparently prepared to pay £60million for the game-shy Brazilian, the Chinese Super League appears to be the perfect place for Premier League clubs to offload big-name, high-earning stars who aren’t quite delivering.
With that in mind, FootballFanCast have taken a look at five players Manchester City should try to flog to the Chinese Super League in January – imagine how much they’ll get for this lot!
Pablo Zabaleta
The tag of a legend is thrown around far too regularly these days, but when discussing Pablo Zabaleta’s career at Manchester City, his status is beyond iconic.
The Argentine has six months remaining on his current deal and is unlikely to be offered a new contract due to his on-going injuries and increasing age.
City should cash in on Zabaleta in January and allow youngster Pablo Maffeo to be guided by Bacary Sagna in the right-back role.
Willy Caballero
Goalkeeper Caballero is one of seven players out of contract at the Etihad Stadium this summer, and following the arrival of Claudio Bravo in August, it’s unlikely the Argentine shot-stopper is going to be given the number one jersey anytime soon.
Selling Caballero could see City recoup some of the £5million paid for his services in 2014, but more significantly, young goalkeeper Angus Gunn could be promoted as the club’s second choice goalkeeper.
Fabian Delph
Once again, injuries have halted the progression of another English midfielder at the Etihad Stadium.
Similar to Jack Rodwell, Delph has found himself frozen out in Manchester due to reoccurring injuries that continue to damage his chances of first team football.
City only signed Delph for £8million and a Chinese Super League club are likely to offer twice the price paid to Aston Villa in 2015.
Jesus Navas
There’s not a player that divides opinion more at the Etihad Stadium than Jesus Navas.
Spanish international Navas has just six months remaining on his current City contract and is unlikely to be offered a new deal with Patrick Roberts set to return from a loan spell at Celtic in the summer.
In January, City could receive a substantial fee for Navas instead of losing him for free, if they can convince the Spanish winger to move to the Far East.
Gael Clichy
Clichy is the fourth player on the list City are set to lose on a free contract during the summer transfer window.
Nonetheless, if City can entice interest in some of their soon-to-be free agents, Gael Clichy should be pushed out the door at the Etihad.
With youngster Angelino waiting in the wings and Aleksandar Kolarov enormously favoured by Pep Guardiola, Clichy’s chances at City are set to become even more limited, so a big payout in China could appeal.
