Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 6y

Cedric Bakambu confident Beijing Sinobo Guoan transfer will go through

Cedric Bakambu has said the completion of his move to the Chinese Super League is "just a question of timing."

Bakambu, who left Villarreal in January, has been on a winter training camp with Beijing Sinobo Guoan, who he is set to join for €40 million, in Portugal.

The proposed deal is set to make the DR Congo international forward one of the highest-paid players in the world with an estimated annual pre-tax salary of €18m but has stalled for almost a month.

However, Bakambu told AFP an end to the saga was in sight, saying: "There's no problem, it's just a question of timing. I expect the transfer to go through."

The 26-year-old, who paid the release clause in his Villarreal contract during the winter window, added: "They didn't want to do it in the shadows hidden away in a hotel in Portugal.

"They want to do that in Beijing in front of the press and their supporters, and that's why this thing is dragging on a bit."

The length of time taken to finalise the deal has led to speculation that Beijing Guoan are seeking to reach agreement with the Chinese authorities, who have imposed a 100 percent tax on big transfer fees for foreign players.

That money is then used to fund the development of homegrown talent.

"I've seen stories like this but that's not my business," France-born Bakambu said. "The money is not mine, and it won't be going in my pocket."

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