5 ways in which 2018 FIFA World Cup is influencing this summer transfer window

Preliminary Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
2018 FIFA World Cup will be played in Russia

#3 Players would be reluctant to move to the likes of China and US

Everton Unveil New Signing Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney turned down a move to China

It seems so long ago, but less than 24 months back, Chinese clubs were on a shopping spree across Europe. In January 2016, Ramires joined Jiangsu Suning from Chelsea. In February Alex Teixeira followed suit from Shakhtar Donetsk. In December, Oscar and Carlos Tevez joined Shanghai SIPG and Shanghai Shenhua respectively in high profile moves.

Fast forward to 2017, and multi million deals to China are far less common. Of course, the principal reason is that the Chinese government clamped down on such deals.

“To benefit the healthy and steady development of professional football leagues and curb the irrational spending on players, those clubs which are in the red should pay the same sums of money as they are spending on buying players to the Chinese Football Development Fund”, a statement released by the Chinese FA read.

But it would be naïve to suggest that is the only reason – clubs were still ready to part with millions to sign up Wayne Rooney for instance. Rooney, motivated by national team considerations as much as his Evertonian background, turned down such a move.

A move to China or US takes a hard hit on the visibility of a player for a national team manager. Expect to hear fewer and fewer rumours of hefty Chinese paydays – atleast over the next 12 months or so.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava
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