The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced a 100% tax on the signings of foreign players in order to control transfer fees.
The new policy will come into effect from the beginning of June which means that any loss-making clubs that are buying foreign players will have to pay the same amount as the transfer fee into a fund that helps develop young Chinese players. It was also introduced as a part of an 18-point programme of new rule changes in order to stop the high transfer fees of foreign players. Additionally, in order to increase opportunities, clubs will need to have the same amount of players under the age of 23 as they do with foreign players at the start of next season.
As a result of this new policy, Chelsea’s Diego Costa has previously been expected to complete a £76m move to Chinese team Tianjin Quanjian. However, under the new tax rules, the move will now cost £152m. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney has also been offered two £50m deals that will increase to £100m if he decides to pursue the move to the Chinese Super League this summer.