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Jonathan White

The summer transfer window for the Chinese Super League has closed and there was no superstar signing in the end.
Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale was close to joining Jiangsu Suning (and several other Chinese sides, according to rumours in the European press) but he has stayed with the Spanish side.
The move was officially pulled at the last minute by Real Madrid president Fiorentino Perez over a transfer fee, but the timing, after the side had lost 7-3 to city rivals Atletico Madrid in a preseason friendly, was no coincidence.
While the Welsh winger has missed out on a reported US$1.25 million per week wage, several other players have signed for Chinese Super League sides – with collective spending breaking the US$115 million mark.




So just who has done the best out of the transfer window?
Arguably, it is not the changes to playing staff that have been the most interesting during this window, though.

Ivan Santini arrived in Nanjing. pic.twitter.com/Gdq2LHN6An
— Forza Suning (@suningfc) July 30, 2019

Spanish manager Rafael Benitez arrived at Dalian Yifang from English Premier League side Newcastle United and has had an immediate impact.
The side have taken 10 points from 15 in the league under Benitez and strolled into the Chinese FA Cup semi-finals. Benitez has also secured the services of Solomon Rondon, the West Bromwich Albion striker who starred for him at Newcastle last season.
Roberto Donadoni is another big name who has arrived in China, taking over at Shenzhen FC. The former Italian national team manager takes over at a side that have not won since early May and are in the relegation zone.

OFFICIAL: Beijing Sinobo Guoan have signed Brazilian midfielder Fernando from Spartak Moscow on loan. pic.twitter.com/IqQHDRmEF5
— TransferMarkt China (@asaikana) July 31, 2019

They do have hopes in the form of new signing John Mary. The Cameroonian striker has scored five goals in three games since he came from Meizhou Hakka. He’s been joined by Dyego Sousa, who has two caps for Portugal and arrives from Braga.
Strikers have been the largest area of recruitment. Shanghai Shenhua signed South Korean striker Kim Shin-wook from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and “Wookie” has been in top form so far.
Kim has scored already six goals in four games after reuniting with former boss Choi Kang-hee, who left Dalian Yifang to replace Quique Sanchez Flores during this window. The club’s other big-name import is Roma’s Stephan El-Shaarawy.




Across the city, West Ham United and Austria forward Marko Arnautovic was finally signed by champions Shanghai SIPG, ending a pursuit that had been public in the winter window. He’s also off the mark already.
He became the club’s first signing in five windows and their hand was forced with the departure of Elkeson to Guangzhou Evergrande. The Brazilian, who is the leading scorer in CSL history, is expected to be naturalised as a Chinese citizen ahead of the Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The returning Ricardo Goulart is reported to be joining him in changing nationalities to help Marcello Lippi’s side get to what would be China’s second World Cup finals.

Shenzhen F.C announced the signing of John Mary from CL1 side Meizhou Hakka. The 26-year-old Cameroonian is the top scorer of CL1 in 2018 season, with 24 goals in 30 matches. This season John Mary continues to lead the CL1 top scorer table, with 12 goals in the 1st half season. pic.twitter.com/BSf7fioStG
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) July 2, 2019

Third-place Beijing Guoan swapped managers, with Bruno Genesio coming in for Roger Schmidt, and they have added another player. Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernando has arrived from Spartak Moscow to help the club stop their crisis of losing two league games in a row.
Brazilians have proved popular as always. While club legend Gil left Shandong Luneng, they have signed Moises from Palmeiras. Elsewhere, Hebei China Fortune have added one of Chongqing Lifan’s footballers named Fernandinho. He is the one who will soon be eligible to naturalise as Chinese on account of residency, rather than the one who keeps scoring stunning solo goals.
Chongqing have replaced him with another Brazilian, Marcinho, who arrives from Internacional, while Henan Jianye have recalled striker Fernando Karanga from Nacional. Elsewhere, Leonardo has gone from Al-Jazira to Tianjin Tianhai.

Amazing victory!! Shenhua 5-3 R&F. Kim Shinwook ⚽️⚽️⚽️ Moreno ⚽️ ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/TuvTnY2HHL
— Shanghai Shenhua FC (@shanghaishenhua) July 27, 2019

The Tianjin side have also signed South Korean Song Ju-hun, while Beijing Renhe have replaced the outgoing Sone Aluko with Elvis Manu from Turkish side Akhisarspor.
Finally, to Jiangsu Suning, where the fans have not been greeted with Gareth Bale but by two new foreigners. One is former Brazil international defender Miranda who arrives from their sister side Inter Milan.
The man tasked with winning the games that Bale would have been expected to win is sometime Croatia striker Igor Santini, who has joined from Belgian champions Anderlecht and has the unfortunate task of filling the shoes of the biggest player the club never signed.


Hong Kong striker Orr linked with Shanghai Port, city teammate Yue signs for Beijing Guoan

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Fans in China voice anger as club play hours after striker Boupendza’s death

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Chinese Super League

No Gareth Bale as Chinese Super League transfer window shuts but which team has done best?

Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic arrives in Shanghai after joining Chinese Super League champions Shanghai SIPG. Photo: Reuters

Chinese Super League clubs outspending MLS, AFL, J. League and SPL but money not buying success ahead of salary cap

Shanghai SIPG’s Brazilian forward Hulk (second left) celebrates scoring during the AFC Asian Champions League. Photo: AFP

The Chinese Super League wage table

Chinese Super League: Rafa Benitez off to winning start as Arnautovic and El Shaarawy head to Shanghai

Dalian Yifang head coach Rafael Benitez during the Chinese Super League win over Henan Jianye. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

China


Changes in the dugout bring bigger names than on the pitch, with Rafa Benitez leading the way
English Premier League and Brazilian forwards dominate summer recruits



Changes in the dugout bring bigger names than on the pitch, with Rafa Benitez leading the way


No Gareth Bale as Chinese Super League transfer window shuts but which team has done best?

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Changes in the dugout bring bigger names than on the pitch, with Rafa Benitez leading the way English Premier League and Brazilian forwards dominate summer recruits

Changes in the dugout bring bigger names than on the pitch, with Rafa Benitez leading the way

English Premier League and Brazilian forwards dominate summer recruits