29-year-old Jackson Martinez has not made much of an impact at Atletico Madrid since arriving from FC Porto, and it looks like the La Liga giants are cutting their losses short. They have agreed with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande on a huge transfer fee for the forward , who is ready to head to the East.
The Colombian forward has become the latest player to move to the Chinese Super League after Atlético Madrid confirmed he will move to Guangzhou Evergrande for a fee of €42m (£32m), according to The Guardian.
And it’s official! Atlético Madrid have sold Jackson Martínez to Guangzhou Evergande for €45m! pic.twitter.com/X9m0LXUccc
— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) February 2, 2016
Neat profit
With just 2 goals in 15 La Liga appearances for Los Rojiblancos, they will certainly not be shedding many tears over the loss of the player. He was bought from Porto last summer to replace the departing Mario Mandzukic for an estimated 35 million Euros.
His sale to Evergrande for 42 million represents a cool 7 million Euros profit on an aging player who seems to be past his prime. Atletico Madrid are probably over the moon at landing this deal, while the Chinese Super League are happy to have Martinez. With the player himself approving of the move, this was a win-win deal for all three parties.
China on the rise
Martinez is not the first player to join the exodus to China this January. He was preceded by his compatriot Fredy Guarin, Brazilian, former Chelsea midfielder Ramires and AS Roma, Ivory Coast International Gervinho. Martinez has been the biggest transfer though, not just to China but in the worldwide January transfer window.
It’s not just big players moving to China either, Martinez’ club is managed by none other than world cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolaris. Evergrande’s rivals Shanghai SIPG are also managed by an international manager of some repute in the form of former England gaffer Sven-Goran Eriksson.
With all these big names plying their trade in China, things are looking up for football in the world’s most populated country.
