Cape Town - Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has admitted that Chinese investment could see more players choosing the Super League over the Premier League.
The January transfer window saw players like Brazilian duo Paulinho and Ramires move directly from the English top-flight to China, from Tottenham and Chelsea respectively, as the fledgling league looks to grow its brand.
Other recent recruits include Gervinho (Roma), Alex Teixeira (Shakhtar Donetsk), Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Demba Ba (Besiktas), and Jackson Martínez (Atletico Madrid), as China’s wealth continues to attract stars from Europe's top leagues.
"It is early days but, moving forward, they will possibly continue to spend big money and players will be attracted there so it could make it more difficult for clubs to recruit," Howe told the Daily Echo.
"It will be interesting to see the Premier League have a competitor because it has mainly dominated in terms of transfer fees and the income television brings. They are certainly having a go and attracting some big names."