Six biggest transfers of mega rich Guangzhou who splashed cash but got relegated
Guangzhou FC, formerly known as Guangzhou Evergrande, won eight Chinese Super League titles over a nine-year span between 2011 and 2019, finishing as runners-up in 2020.
However, having finished third in the Championship stage of the 2021 season to qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage, things turned sour after a salary cap was imposed on foreign signings.
A 17th place finish in 2022 has led to relegation to the 2023 China League One after just three wins and 22 defeats from 33 fixtures.
Daily Star Sport have now taken a look at their six biggest signings since their 2009 takeover from the Evergrande Real Estate Group – totalling three figures of millions.
READ MORE: Ex-England youth star aiming for Champions League after relegation in non-league
6. Alan – £10m
Alan Douglas Borges de Carvalho chose a surprise move to China back in 2015 having scored 93 goals across 129 games for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.
Costing £10m, he went on to score 59 games across 103 games while winning six trophies in total and even become eligible to play for China.
He played for the national side 10 times in total scoring three goals, recently returning to Brazil with Fluminense at the age of 33.
Who is your favourite ever Chinese Super League star? Tell us in the comments section below.
5. Paulinho – £12m
Arguably the most recognisable player in Guangzhou history, Paulinho had his first spell with the club between 2015 and 2017 after leaving Tottenham for £12m.
The Brazil midfielder won two league titles in his first spell with the club making 95 appearances and scoring 28 goals – to catch the eye of Barcelona.
He moved to La Liga in 2017 for a fee of £35m – going on to win a league and cup double before making an emotional return to Guangzhou.
4. Ricardo Goulart
Ricardo Goulart Pereira joined Guangzhou from Cruzeiro in 2015 having forced his way into the Brazil national set up for a fee of just £13m.
He remained at the club for a full six years, scoring 110 goals across his 174 appearances and winning eight trophies including the 2015 AFC Champions League.
Goulart went out on loan twice before leaving permanently back, now playing for Santos back in Brazil with his former side relegated.
3. Talisca – £17m
Talisca, aka Anderson Souza Conceicao, joined Guangzhou on a permanent deal from Benfica back in 2019 having initially played for them on loan in 2018.
During that loan spell the former Brazil youth international slammed home 16 goals across 18 matches – leading to a price tag of £17million.
He went on to score 17 goals across his 35 domestic outings and pick up a Super League title before joining Al-Nassr – where he has continued to score big.
2. Jackson Martinez – £37m
In at two is former Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez, who struggled in Spain before agreeing a £37m move to Guangzhou.
Despite shining with Porto and smashing home 92 goals from 136 appearances, he managed only four in 16 in Chaone before moving to Portugal.
The disastrous spell still led to silverware for the former Columbia striker, who won a league title as well as Chinese FA Cup and Chinese FA Super Cup.
1. Paulinho – £37m
A familiar face and a club hero, Paulinho was back at Guangzhou in 2019 on a permanent deal following an initial loan return from Barcelona.
The midfielder scored another 47 goals across 81 appearances as his performances actually improved before his move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli in 2021.
Paulinho is now back in Brazil with Corinthians, but will no doubt be gutted by the fate of his former club where he spent a vast chunk of his career.
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