Alexis Sanchez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, John Terry… Who will be the next Premier League star to join mega-bucks Chinese Super League?

THE phenomenal transfer fees and wage packets being offered by clubs from within the Chinese Super League has changed the face of the worldwide football transfer market over the last couple of years.

The latest sensational deal taking a high-profile player to China was Brazilian midfielder Oscar’s £60million switch from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG, bagging the 25-year-old a stunning weekly wage of £500,000.

Former West Ham United, Manchester United and Manchester City star Carlos Tevez has also recently departed his beloved Boca Juniors to make the move east, accepting a contract that will make him the highest paid footballer on the planet.

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His reported £650,000 a week wage dwarfs the earnings of multiple-time Ballon d’Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Even Graziano Pelle, sold by Southampton to Shandong Luneng earlier this year for around £12m, is among the ten most well-compensated players in the game.

So with clubs happy to accept over-the-odds fees for some of their stars, and with players understandably attracted by the mammoth wages on offer, which five Premier League players could potentially head to the Chinese Super League in the near future?

Football Whispers investigates...

ALEXIS SANCHEZ

ARSENAL forward Sanchez is enjoying the most productive season of his Gunners’ career this term, having netted 14 goals and registered nine assists.

But the Chilean is yet to agree a new contract with the London club, with reports suggesting that he is holding out for more than £250,000 a week, bringing him in line with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba at Manchester United.

While Chelsea are thought to be monitoring Arsenal man Sanchez’s situation ahead of potentially pouncing for the former Barcelona and Udinese star, it has been reported that he has received a whopping offer of £400,000 from an unnamed Chinese club.

Attracting a player of Sanchez’s calibre who, at 28, is in his peak, would be a huge coup for the cash-rich league.

WAYNE ROONEY

ENGLAND captain Rooney rejected a £300,000 a week offer from Beijing Guoan over the summer, according to the Telegraph.

The 31-year-old remains committed to the Red Devils as he hopes to become the club’s all-time leading scorer this season.

But when the campaign ends, interest from the China will surely again aim to turn Rooney’s head.

The former Everton striker is currently the highest paid player at Old Trafford, despite no longer being a guaranteed starter.

United would surely consider offloading their long-serving skipper in order to free up some space on the wage budget to fund a move for reported target Antoine Griezmann.

CESC FABREGAS

BUOYED by the enormous fee they received for Oscar, Chelsea are expected to be among the Premier League’s more active clubs during the January transfer window.

Should they wish to raise further funds for new signings, there is a £40m offer already on the table from Guangzhou Evergrande for Fabregas, according to the Daily Mail.

The 29-year-old Spanish international has had to play second fiddle to Antonio Conte’s preferred midfield pairing of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic for much of this season.

But would the Italian coach be willing to cash in on the former Arsenal playmaker?

JOHN TERRY

DESPITE the fact that Chelsea now operate with three central defenders in their starting line-up, club captain Terry has struggled to get a look in this term.

The 36-year-old ex-England defender has started only four Premier League games so far in 2016-17, and has featured in a total of just 366 minutes of top-flight action.

Terry signed a one-year contract extension in the summer, confirming his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge for as long as possible.

But with game time hard to come by under Conte, the veteran stopper could not be criticised for contemplating one final pay day in the Chinese Super League as his retirement looms.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC

SWEDISH superstar Ibrahimovic joined Man United this summer on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract with the Old Trafford club with the option of an additional year.

The Sun brought you the story last month that the 35-year-old has received a £120m offer to move to the Chinese Super League when the current campaign ends, but Zlatan is apparently intent on remaining with the Red Devils for another season.

The former Ajax and Barcelona hitman has bagged an impressive 17 goals already this term, showing he is still capable of playing at the highest level.

But an offer of such magnitude will surely have tested his resolve.