The winter transfer window is about to open, and many Chinese Super League teams will officially begin their new season's personnel recruitment. On the evening of December 28th, Beijing time, according to a report from the Turkish media kurtulusgazetesi, the veteran Chinese Super League powerhouse Shandong Taishan is interested in signing the 32-year-old forward Vincent Aboubakar. This Cameroonian captain may become Taishan's first signing in the winter window.
Turkish media reported that due to his performance not meeting expectations this season, with only 3 goals and 1 assist in 12 league appearances for Hatayspor, the team is very willing to let him go during the winter window. The Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan has shown interest in the player, and the two teams will soon discuss the transfer. Since Aboubakar's contract is set to expire next summer, Hatayspor is not expected to demand an excessive transfer fee.
Born on January 22, 1992, Aboubakar plays as a forward and has previously played for several European powerhouses such as Porto, Besiktas, and Lorient. As the captain of Cameroon, Aboubakar has represented the national team in three World Cups: 2010, 2014, and 2022. In the final round of the group stage at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, it was Aboubakar who scored the winning goal against Brazil in stoppage time, although he was subsequently sent off for celebrating by taking off his shirt.
Aboubakar's peak market value reached 18 million euros, and even now his value remains at 2 million euros. As a physically outstanding striker with great impact, he might be very suitable for the current Chinese Super League. However, Taishan already has Brazilians Zeka and Crespo in the forward line, and adding another forward might make the foreign player configuration seem "top-heavy."