January 20, 2016
SOCCEROOS defender Trent Sainsbury has been tabled a lucrative offer to transfer to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning.
Former Central Coast manager Phil Moss revealed the story exclusively on Fox Sports News 500, saying Jiangsu has placed a massive bid for Sainsbury to move from PEC Zwolle.
The combined value of Sainsbury’s three-year deal, including to the transfer fee paid to sign the player, is believed to be in the vicinity of eight figures.
“That deal is very imminent and it could happen at any time now,” Moss said.
“It’s a massive deal and it’s going to set him up for life. It’s one that he can’t refuse.
“There’s a mandate from the Chinese government to win the World Cup within 24 years, so at all levels of the game they’re throwing money at it.”
The 24-year-old Sainsbury has been at PEC Zwolle for two years, having signed for the Dutch club from the Mariners in January 2014.
During his time in the Eredivisie, Sainsbury has established himself as a Socceroos regular and was part of the Australian side that won the 2015 Asian Cup title.
Jiangsu is an ambitious club and is ready to spend this off-season.
The club recently agreed a €14 million ($22.2 million) deal to sign AC Milan striker Luiz Adriano, only for the move to fall through at the last second.
They have also been linked with an offer for Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, believed to be worth £10 million ($20.5 million) with wages worth £240,000 ($500,000) per week.
Jiangsu finished ninth in last season’s Chinese Super League, winning only nine of 30 matches and finishing 32 points behind eventual champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
However, its annual operation budget of USD $80 million is nearly five times that of Sainsbury’s current side PEC Zwolle.
China’s domestic competition has enjoyed an abundance of marquee additions over the last 12 months, with Sainsbury set to join the likes of Tim Cahill, Mohamed Sissoko, Paulinho, Robinho, Alberto Gilardino, Demba Ba and Asamoah Gyan to join the league recently.
Sainsbury’s move seals a big week for agent Tony Rallis, who also orchestrated Anthony Caceres’ move to Melbourne City via Manchester City.