Ivory Coast International Gervinho has agreed to a move to a newly promoted Chinese Super League side after spending two and a half seasons in the Serie A with AS Roma.
The 28-year-old has agreed to move to Hebei China Fortune FC, who won promotion to the Chinese Super League after coming second in the China League One last season. The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of 15 to 18 million euros, with bonuses. This entails an excellent profit for Roma, who brought the player in from Arsenal for 8 million euros only.
Good news for China
Gervinho, though he isn’t really considered one of the best in the world, is still a top class striker who has experience in 3 of the big European leagues — Ligue One, the Premier League, where he spent two decent seasons with Arsenal FC, and Serie A. He’s scored 7 goals and registered 2 assists in 17 appearances for AS Roma this season.
It’s surprising that the club are willing to let him go considering he is a very good option as a back-up striker, but the profit of more than 7 million euros that they made from the transaction definitely eased the proceedings.
Money no object in China
The Chinese Super League seem to have no objections to paying over the market value for experienced players from Europe, thanks to the cash infusion from a new 1.25 billion US dollar TV deal.
Apart from Gervinho, it is also being rumored that Chelsea midfielder Ramires is set for a move to the East for the hefty price of 25 million pounds. The European clubs will relish the opportunity to make profits off some of their squad players, as the Chinese league undergoes a major change and brings world class talent to China.
