A NUMBER of former Premier League stars could be back plying their trade in England due to the salary cap in China.
Under the new rules, Chinese Super League sides cannot pay players no more than £52,000-a-week, with clubs facing points deductions should squad members be paid more.
Brazilian midfielder Oscar could be on his way out of China in the near futureCredit: AFP – Getty
Under contract players will still be paid what they are earning currently, but they will have to agree to have their salary cut within the next three seasons.
One player who has already decided to depart the Far East in Napoli legend Marek Hamsik, who is close to joining Swedish side IFK Goteborg from Dalian Yifang.
Here SunSport looks at seven players that could jump ship from China.
OSCAR
On around £400,000-a-week at Shanghai Port, the 29-year-old could be tempted to leave instead of having to take an 86 per cent cut.
And the ex-Chelsea playmaker recently declared he wishes to return to West London in his dream to retire at Stamford Bridge.
He told talkSPORT: “I think about finishing at Chelsea because I had good times before at Chelsea.
“Chelsea helped me a lot to improve and to do what I always dreamed [of], which was to play in the Champions League and they helped me to play in the World Cup and to win the Premier League.
“I have a lot of friends at Chelsea. If I have a chance to finish my career at Chelsea, it’s a dream for me.”
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PAULINHO
Tottenham flop Paulinho returned to Guangzhou in 2018 after one season at Barcelona.
He has won the Super League three times and the AFC Champions League once during his stint in China, but he also could be lured back to Europe.
Earning over £230k-a-week, the Brazilian may not want to earn over four times less that amount.
Paulinho flopped during his spell at Tottenham, but he has shown his class out in ChinaCredit: AFP or licensors
MOUSA DEMBELE
Paulinho’s former Spurs team-mate Dembele may be 33 now, but he is still more than capable of turning out for a Premier League side.
He may have left in 2019, but with his contract expiring at the end of the year, Dembele could find himself back in Blighty in the near future.
MARKO ARNAUTOVIC
A team-mate of Oscar at Shanghai, the ex-West Ham and Stoke star was linked with a return to England in January.
It was claimed that the Hammers turned down the chance to re-sign him with the London outfit deeming him as too expensive.
Since moving to Asia, the Austria international has scored 17 goals in 35 games.
Marko Arnautovic was linked with a return to West Ham in the winter transfer windowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
AARON MOOY
Another former Premier League star in Shanghai’s ranks, the ex-Brighton and Huddersfield man made the move to China in August.
Only 30, a number of clubs would snap up the chance to bring the Australian midfielder to England if he decides to leave.
MAROUANE FELLAINI
Now 33, the former Manchester United and Everton ace is approaching the end of his contract with Shandong Taishan.
Fellaini has found the back of the net on 21 occasions in 57 outings – helping his side win the Chinese FA Cup in 2020.
CEDRIC BAKAMBU
Pocketing a whopping £16million-a-year at Beijing Guoan, the 29-year-old is one of the top players in China.
Bakambu, 29, left Villarreal in 2018 having banged in 48 goals in 105 games, and he has continued to showcase his lethal finishing in the Far East.
Chipping in with 53 goals in 74 matches, the DR Congo international could prove to be an astute signing for a Premier League side.
Oscar reveals dream is to retire at Chelsea but 29-year-old fears age may stop return as he compares himself to Mount
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
