Sven-Goran Eriksson: Money is 'primary factor' behind high-profile China deals

Former Manchester City boss believes China’s recent emergence in the transfer market is only the beginning

Sven Goran-Eriksson, manager of Shanghai (Getty)

Former England and current Shanghai manager Sven-Göran Eriksson says the money on offer in China is too hard for some top European players to turn down.

A blistering rush in the last 10 days has paid witness to Ramires and 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, who managed Manchester City and Leicester, believes China’s recent emergence in the transfer market is only the beginning and has prophesied that Asia will become a haven for high-profile players in future.

“You can’t take away the fact that money is the primary factor,” Eriksson said.

“The [Asian] Champions League used to be dominated by teams from Japan, South Korea and Australia, but Guangzhou Evergrande have won it in two of the past three seasons.

“Football is on the TV all the time here, not just the Premier League or the Champions League, but all the European leagues. It is an emerging league, which is why they are attracting such big names. There will be more to follow.

“The football is improving all the time and they are very ambitious with the national team.

“The biggest problem is the language because it is so difficult for Europeans to learn. In the big cities, such as Shanghai, it is easier because so many people speak English.

“Shanghai is a beautiful city, with theatres, shopping malls and restaurants that can rival anything in London.”