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Chinese Super League 2016
SportChina
Opinion
Jonathan White

Going, going, Gyan? Transfer rumours swirl around the CSL as Shanghai SIPG plan to clear out expensive flop

As the European leagues climax, football fans can expect no shortage of China-related transfer gossip as mega-rich CSL clubs flex their muscles

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Is Asamoah Gyan about to be moved on after an injury-troubled spell in China?. Photo: Twitter
Formerly of the South China Morning Post, Jonathan White has written about sport from China for nearly 15 years, and covered the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the Fifa World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Against the odds, it has been a very successful week for Shanghai SIPG. They first overcame FC Tokyo in the second leg of their AFC Champions League round of 16 game on Tuesday and then they came away with something from a visit to the champions yesterday to keep hopes alive of a domestic league, cup and continental treble.

The Black Stars captain is said to be going, going, Gyan at the next available opportunity as SIPG look to offload the striker’s multimillion dollar wages
In Shanghai last Tuesday, a strong SIPG team left it late – Wu Lei fired in the winning goal in the 90th minute to take them through to the quarter-finals on away goals.

They were joined there by Korean sides FC Seoul and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, plus domestic rivals Shandong Luneng, who also scored at the death to proceed on away goals and keep Chinese hopes of the trophy staying in China alive.

Shanghai SIPG faced an even tougher task in the Chinese Super League when they travelled to Guangzhou Evergrande yesterday.

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The champions had established a healthy lead in the first ten matches on the back of a nine-game winning streak. A win at home would have taken the champions ten points clear of the Shanghai side that ran them so close last season.

WATCH: Highlights of Guangzhou Evergrande v Shanghai SIPG

For SIPG to come away with a point, after taking the lead no less, was nothing short of remarkable. It might yet be one of those results that comes to be looked back upon as season defining. Last season’s runners-up remain in touching distance at the top of the table and no one expected that given the circumstances.

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