The Chinese Super League (CSL), in it's bid to become one of thestrongest on the planet,is set to make another sensational bid for a well-known star of European football.
However, this time,according to the Mirror,the man in question is not a player but Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg.
The official at the helm of 2016's FA Cup, Champions League and Euro 2016 finals was crowned ref of the year at Tuesday's Global Soccer Awards held in Dubai, and is now a target for China, as President Xi Jinping and the football associationlook to tackle corruption within the sport.
The CSL already boasts a reportedfour of the ten highest paid players on the planet, after high profile captures of the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Graziano Pelle, Carlos Tevez and, most recently, Oscar from Chelsea for around £60m.
OFFICIAL: Shanghai SIPG completed the signing of Brazilian star Oscar from Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/C2FWudPr7s
More and morePremier League stars are being tipped for an Eastern departure in favour of the traditionally strong European leagues, with Wayne Rooney, John Terry and Alexis Sanchez among those who have been linked for mega-moneyrecently.
41-year-old Clattenburg has been a Premier League official for 12 years, in which he has reached the pinnacle of his profession and is widely regarded as one of the game's finest.
Mark Clattenburg looking like he's about to recreate Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick against Portsmouth in 2008. pic.twitter.com/EEeAvud8Fh
The rumoured interest from China would not be the first time an English ref is the subject of a transfer coup. Howard Webb was previously approached to take on a role as the head of referees in America's MLS.
The CSL ended its season in October with former World Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari'sGuangzhou Evergrande taking the title.