Jackson Martinez’s short, unsatisfactory time at Atletico Madrid is over, and the La Liga side has shockingly made a profit on the man.
Reports claim that Guangzhou Evergrande is set to pay $49 million to bring Martinez to China, less than six months after Atleti paid Porto $38 million for the striker.
The 29-year-old Colombian is coming off a 32-goal season with Porto, but has struggled to adapt to La Liga. He has three goals in 12 appearances for Atleti.
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China is making moves. Guangzhou Evergrande is the same side that spent big cash on Robinho, Paulinho and Alberto Gilardino (those rhyme, too). Only Paulinho remains with the club now. Former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is Guangzhou’s manager.
What does MLS think of this? Another sub-30, albeit barely, player joining this nascent league is quite the fodder for discussion. Four players from Corinthians have joined China’s top flight, Chelsea sold Ramires to Jiangsu Suning for $35 million.
“Soccernomics” is looking as prophetic as it claimed!