Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guangzhou: Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande have smashed the Asian transfer record after completing a stunning €42million deal for Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez.
In a statement of intent ahead of the coming season, where they will be looking to become only the second team to retain the AFC Champions League title since the tournament’s inception in 2003, Evergrande have acquired a prolific striker who netted 92 goals in 132 games for Portuguese giants Porto from 2012 to 2015.
Martinez is also a current Colombia international who scored twice at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and had moved to Atletico for a reported €35m last July.
However, the 29-year-old has struggled to have a similar impact in Spain, notching onlythree goals in 21 appearances in all competitions and, despite Los Rojiblancos challenging for the Primera Liga title, has been allowed to join Luiz Felipe Scolari’s charges.
The move, which was announced on Wednesday, eclipses the record fee their Super League rivals Jiangsu Suning forked out to sign Brazil international Ramires from Chelsea a week ago, reported to be in the region of €25m.
Since emerging as a powerhouse in China and winning their first league title in 2011, Evergrande have shown an ability to lure big names to the Tianhe Stadium and their new striker is the latest in a list that includes Brazil attacker Robinho, former Borussia Dortmund star Lucas Barrios, and ex-Italy internationals Alessandro Diamanti and Alberto Gilardino.
Martinez will also get a chance to link up with Brazilian attacker Paulinho, who has already impressed since joining the club from Tottenham last June.
Evergrande, looking to win their third continental crown in 2016, have been drawn in Group H for thier upcoming Champions League campaign against Sydney FC, Urawa Red Diamonds and either Pohang Steelers or Hanoi T&T, who will meet in a qualifying playoff next Tuesday.