Jackson Martinez could lead Chinese Super League foreign exodus as players look for game time ahead of 2018 World Cup

Reports have emerged that Colombia international Jackson Martinez, who last played for champions Guangzhou Evergrande 14 months ago, may join Turkish Super League club Besiktas.

The 31-year-old forward cost the Chinese heavyweights €42 million (HK$392 million) when joining from La Liga side Atletico Madrid in 2016, once an Asian club record transfer fee. However, Martinez has since made only 10 appearances and scored a mere four goals.

The South American missed the whole of the 2017 season after surgery on his left ankle and is eager to get first team soccer to enhance his chance of making the 2018 Russia World Cup finals squad for his country.

Besiktas, the reigning Turkish champions, are said to have been interested in Martinez since last year and their appearance in the Uefa Champions League round of 16 against Bayern Munich in February would be an added incentive to attract the player.

The Chinese governing body allows only four foreign players to be registered at one time for a Super League club next season, while it was five for 2017. Clubs can still sign up a maximum of six foreigners over the course of the 2018 season, one less than in 2017. Of the four registered players, only three of them can play at the same time and the number of foreign players on-field must be matched by the same number of domestic under-23 players.