The Chinese Super League is currently in the off-season, with a seemingly calm surface hiding the bustling activity of teams at their winter training bases and in the transfer market, as an "arms race" has already begun.
Dalian Yibo has set its sights on Malele, a former Shanghai Shenhua player, and has recently taken action. The salary they offered has sparked widespread discussion, as it is significantly higher than what Malele received at Shenhua. Meanwhile, reigning champions Shanghai Port have suffered a severe blow to their championship lineup with the departure of key foreign players such as Oscar and Barrios. However, they have secured the services of Jan Mateus from Yokohama F. Marinos. Tianjin Tigers also made significant moves in the transfer market, with a Spanish midfielder set to join the team after New Year's Day.
Dalian Yibo's pursuit of Malele has been relentless. It is reported that they offered him a pre-tax salary of 1.1 million euros, while his post-tax salary at Shenhua was only 600,000 euros. This increase reflects Dalian Yibo's eagerness for talent. Malele's excellent physical condition makes him a formidable presence on the field, akin to a small tank charging through the opposition. His impressive record of 16 goals and 3 assists in 26 games last season places him among the top forwards in the league. Despite occasional misses in front of goal, he is seen as a lifeline for Dalian Yibo's relegation battle. Some fans believe that if Malele joins Dalian Yibo, there will be hope for survival in the new season.
Shanghai Port, on the other hand, has seen a significant drop in firepower and creativity in their forward line and midfield following the departures of Oscar, Barrios, and Chitadini, reducing their championship aspirations. However, according to Japan's authoritative sports media "Sports Daily," Jan Mateus from Yokohama F. Marinos is set to join Port. His outstanding performance with Yokohama, including 10 goals and 11 assists in 45 matches last season, makes him a formidable addition. Having worked with current Port coach Muscat at Yokohama, Mateus is expected to have immediate impact. Fans are excited about the potential goal-scoring spree he could create alongside Wu Lei, potentially propelling Port back into the championship race.
Tianjin Tigers experienced significant changes during the winter window, with key players like Kompanyo, Tomorrow, and Han Pengfei leaving, weakening the team. Fortunately, Tianjin journalist Gu Ying confirmed that a Spanish midfielder will join the team after New Year's Day. While details about this new foreign aid are scarce, fans hope he can stabilize the midfield and provide support to the frontline, helping Tianjin Tigers maintain their performance from last season and challenge for AFC Champions League qualification. Under local coach Yu Genwei, Tianjin Tigers finished sixth in the league last season, giving fans hope for a resurgence. The addition of new players presents both opportunities and challenges.
