Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco heads list of best Chinese Super League winter buys

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  • Yannick Carrasco (r) in action for Atletico Madrid.

    Stringent rules did not stop the Chinese Super League’s clubs from completing a number of exciting signings this winter.

    After enormous sums were previously spent on the likes of Brazil stars Oscar and Hulk, a 100-per-cent tax on foreign players bought for fees more than $6.9 million was imposed last June by the Chinese Football Association.

    Yet, by the close of the pre-season window on Wednesday night, several eye-catching moves were made by the division’s 16 outfits. This means Friday’s big kick-off for 2018 will feature some massive new names.

    Here, we pick out our top-five foreign buys:

    YANNICK CARRASCO

    New club: Dalian Yifang

    Bought from: Atletico Madrid

    Transfer fee: €30m (Dh135m)

    Eyebrows were raised this week when the promoted Blue Hawks raided Atletico for wingers Carrasco and Nicolas Gaitan.

    Monday’s recruitment of the former was by far the most-exciting deal.

    Inconsistent form by the Belgium wide man and reported disagreements with head coach Diego Simeone, plus several of his team-mates, saw him handed just eight La Liga starts in 2017/18. Yet we are talking about a 24-year-old regular squad member for Belgium who should feature in this summer’s World Cup and previously scored during defeat in 2016/17’s Champions League final to rivals Real Madrid.

    Yifang won China League One last term and have been prepared to take a huge hit because of the transfer laws to recruit the aforementioned pair. They’ve also added veteran Portugal centre-back Jose Fonte from West Ham.

    Carrasco has all the ability to become the competition’s finest player. With European outfits such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Juventus already rumoured by Mundo Deportivo to be eagerly watching his progress, he should get a first taste of action at big-spending Shanghai SIPG on Saturday.

    Yannick Carrasco (l) in action against Alaves for Atleti.

    Yannick Carrasco (l) in action against Alaves for Atleti.

    CEDRIC BAKAMBU

    New club: Beijing Guoan

    Bought from: Villarreal

    Transfer fee: €37 million (Dh166.5m)

    Africa, finally, has a new holder of it’s most-expensive-footballer title.

    The deal to bring Bakambu to China has been the story of this transfer window. Guoan, who finished a disappointing ninth last term, initially agreed to meet his release clause in January, yet attempts to circumvent the regulations rumbled on until this midweek when he was finally announced as their player at a total cost estimated at $90m.

    They will now hope the Democratic Republic of Congo forward, 26, was worth all the bother – their colossal investment beats Arsenal’s in Gabon superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    He certainly comes with some pedigree. During two-and-a-half seasons in La Liga, Bakambu netted 32 goals in 72 appearances and became the only African ever to receive the division’s Player of the Month-award.

    The ex-Sochaux and Bursaspor attacker will hope from this Sunday at Shandong Luneng to feed off an impressive creative department, manned by fellow new boy Jonathan Viera and Brazil starter Renato Augusto.

    Cedric Bakambu (c) stands with his new Beijing Guoan team-mates.

    Cedric Bakambu (c) stands with his new Beijing Guoan team-mates.

    JAVIER MASCHERANO

    New club: Hebei China Fortune

    Bought from: Barcelona

    Transfer fee: €5.5m (Dh24.8m)

    After 334 appearances and 17 major trophies, the Argentina defensive midfielder finally bid an emotional farewell to Barca this January.

    He joins a side manned by ex-Real Madrid and Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who kick-started his remarkable career by handing him a debut at River Plate all the way back in 2003. Now an experienced hand aged 33-years old and with 141 international caps earned, a huge impact is expected.

    Los Albiceleste team-mate Ezequiel Lavezzi will also help his integration to life in Langfang. Plus, a central-midfield partnership with returning ex-Brazil international Hernanes should be formidable.

    Hebei finished fourth last term and Mascherano will lead their charge towards even better times, beginning with Saturday’s trip to Tianjin TEDA.

    Argentina's Javier Mascherano speaks at a briefing in Wuhan.

    Argentina’s Javier Mascherano speaks at a briefing in Wuhan.

    JONATHAN VIERA

    New club: Beijing Guoan

    Bought from: Las Palmas

    Transfer fee: €11m (Dh49.5m)

    The riches on offer in China can prove hard to turn down.

    Viera earned his first – and only – cap for Spain last October. But a life-changing contract at Guoan was irresistible to him, no matter the negative impact it may have on slim hopes of making World Cup 2018.

    The 28-year-old will be expected to share the creative burden with Augusto. Ammunition will need to be provided for Spanish striker Jonathan Soriano and Bakambu – who has also been recruited from La Liga this winter.

    He leaves behind a relegation battle with Las Palmas, for whom he registered a creditable three goals and four assists this term. Over three spells with the islanders, he notched 44 times in 171 league appearances.

    Guoan will demand an even-better return.

    Jonathan Viera has had to park his Spain ambitions.

    Jonathan Viera has had to park his Spain ambitions.

    AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ

    New club: Beijing Renhe

    Bought from: Atletico Madrid

    Transfer fee: €4.5m (Dh20.3m)

    The rigours of overcoming a serious knee injury saw the 31-year-old Argentina centre midfielder seek out a fresh start in the Far East.

    Fernandez was waylaid in September 2016 with damage incurred to his ACL during a 1-0 triumph against Deportivo la Coruna. The fierce competition in the Atleti ranks made a return to prominence for the man signed from Celta Vigo the preceding January almost impossible, only five run-outs in the Spanish top flight following this term.

    Spaniard Luis Garcia – also formerly of the Arabian Gulf League’s Bani Yas – was fully aware of Fernandez’s talents and is convinced he can still be an influential figure for his promoted capital outfit.

    A relegation battle is sure to follow for Renhe. It is up to Fernandez to drag them through, beginning with Saturday’s journey to Chongqing Dangdai Lifan.

    Augusto Fernandez (r) will add bite to Beijing Renhe's midfield.

    Augusto Fernandez (r) will add bite to Beijing Renhe’s midfield.

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