Alex Teixeira to return to CSL and naturalise for China, reports say, will Jean Evrard Kouassi follow?

Domestic media report that Brazilian star will return to Chinese Super League after being linked with move to Saudi Arabia

Ivorian striker shares video wearing China national team shirt leading to speculation he could also naturalise for Li Tie

Reading Time:3 minutes

Jiangsu Suning's Alex Teixeira celebrates during the Chinese Super League in 2016. The striker is reported to have returned to China to naturalise for Li Tie’s national team. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:28pm, 26 Feb 2021Updated: 5:39pm, 26 Feb 2021

The debate over naturalised footballers in China has been reignited after reports in domestic media indicated that Alex Teixeira and Jean Evrard Kouassi could be next in line for Li Tie’s national team.

Both players are eligible to naturalise as they have spent at least five years living in China while neither has received a full cap for their respective nations, Brazil and Ivory Coast.

Teixeira, who led Jiangsu Suning to the Chinese Super League title last season before his contract expired, had long been a target for naturalisation with reports that the project could cost up to €80 million (US$98 million).

The dream appeared to be over last month with the forward expected to leave China and widespread reports that the former Liverpool target would sign for a Saudi Arabian team. Now the 31-year-old appears to have made a complete U-turn.

The Saudi transfer window has now closed and Soccer News newspaper was among the outlets to report that Teixeira will instead return to China and be naturalised.

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