Chelsea transfer news: John Terry could be next China target, says ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson

The 35-year-old is set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer after 18 years of service

(Getty Images)

Former England and current Shanghai manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has revealed Chinese clubs are seriously looking into the prospect of luring John Terry to Asia.

The 35-year-old is set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer after 18 years of service, lifting four Premier League trophies and enjoying one Champions League success among other honours, and Eriksson believes China could be his destination.

A blistering rush in the last 10 days of the January transfer window paid witness to Chelsea’s Ramires and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Alex Teixeira joining Jiangsu Suning, for £25m and £38.4m respectively, while Guangzhou Evergrande stretched their financial muscle to lure Jackson Martinez from Atletico Madrid for £31m.

Eriksson, addressing the country’s continued financial influence over football, told the Sun: “There is a lot of talk about John Terry in China. He has been one of the greatest defenders in the world for the last 15 years.

“He is still doing very well and has a lot to offer. He is one of the most recognisable players in world football.

“Chinese teams are looking for these big players. Great teams need great leaders.

“They do not come much better than John Terry. With his skill, his experience, he would be great in China, I have no doubt about that.

Sven Goran-Eriksson, manager of Shanghai (Getty)

“China is the future. Football here will get bigger and bigger.

“I have already seen a huge difference. The more top players who come, the bigger and better it will get. This is a great place to live and play football. It is fantastic.”