In one of the most shocking transfer moves ever, Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande have signed Jackson Martinez from Atletico Madrid for an Asian record transfer fee of £31 million.
The BBC has confirmed the player’s imminent transfer in one of the biggest deals of Asian football. He will join the likes of former Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho at his new club.
The Colombian moved to the Spanish giants from FC Porto in a £35 million move in the summer.
However, he failed to impress during his time with Atletico and his spell in La Liga only lasted for six months. The 29-year old scored only three goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for the club.
He was reportedly offered to Premier League clubs Tottenham and Chelsea in the January transfer window, but both clubs were not interested in his services.
Prior to his move to Atletico, Martinez won the Portuguese league title with Porto in the 2012/2013 season. He scored 67 goals in 89 league appearances for Porto during his three-year spell with the club.
As could be expected, Twitter went crazy about this crazy story and we picked the best tweets:
Jackson Martinez going to China. What a waste of talent!
— Dan Keley (@DanKeley) February 2, 2016
I can not believe we actually got almost a €5m profit on Jackson Martínez. By far the worst striker we’ve had in 20 years.
— oleaasheim (@oleaasheim) February 2, 2016
Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez joins Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande for €45m. Football’s gone mad. pic.twitter.com/kgYQM2BA2E
— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) February 2, 2016
Jackson Martinez for 45m? Do people in China even watch European football?
— V (@ManLikeLamps) February 2, 2016
Atletico Madrid have sold Jackson Martinez to China for £31.8m. Staggering. Wonder how many more big names will go before Feb 26 deadline?
— Andrew Haigh (@AndrewHaigh) February 2, 2016
£25mil for Ramires €45mil for Jackson Martinez, the Chinese teams have more money than sense
— Billy (@OscaRoadMan) February 2, 2016
Wonder if the Chinese Super League needs any livebloggers.
???— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) February 2, 2016
Good luck to Jackson Martinez on his retirement
— Peter Mcpartland (@PED7) February 2, 2016
Jackson Martinez joined casting “Shaolin Soccer 2” ! pic.twitter.com/nKK7DQujJ8
— IamFrench (@IamFrench_) February 2, 2016
