Arsene Wenger: Rise of Chinese Super League means first £100m signing is around the corner

Arsenal manager says Premier League clubs should be worried by rapid emergence of China's domestic league

Liverpool and Chelsea target Alex Teixeira (Getty)

European clubs should be worried by Chinese football's display of economic might in the January transfer window, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

The Chinese Super League out-spent Europe's elite with a series of high-profile signings that could still increase before the local transfer window closes on Feb 26.

Jiangsu Suning smashed the league's transfer record for a third time in 10 days by signing Liverpool target Alex Teixeira from Shakhtar Donetsk for £38m on Friday.

Asked if Premier League clubs should be concerned by China's willingness to compete for top players, Wenger was emphatic. “Yes, of course,” he said. “China looks to have the financial power to move the whole league of Europe to China.

“And we know that is just a consequence of economic power and they have that.”

The Teixeira deal follows Guangzhou Evergrande's capture of Colombian striker Jackson Martinez from Atletico Madrid and Jiangsu's signing of Ramires from Chelsea for a reported £25m.

Wenger questioned whether China would sustain high levels of investment in football and predicted even bigger transfers next season. “I don’t know how deep the desire in China is, but if it’s a very strong political desire, we should worry,” he said.

“In the summer, we will see transfer prices move up again. I am sure that soon the £100m target will be easy to reach.”

Reuters