According to reports from The Express, the Chinese Super League has joined Arsenal and Newcastle United in the race to sign Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick on a free transfer.
The England international has lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League title and a League Cup during his 400 appearances for the Red Devils, but it remains to be seen if his Old Trafford career will span beyond the expiration of his contract in the summer. Although the 34-year-old veteran remains hopeful of agreeing a new deal, a proposal is yet to be put on the table.
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In recent weeks, that has seen the tabloids speculate a return to the northeast for the Wallsend-born midfielder with Newcastle United or a shock transfer to divisional rivals Arsenal. But according to The Express, the Premier League duo will now have to fend off interest from the Chinese Super League to sign Carrick during the summer transfer window.
The Chinese record transfer fee has been smashed three times already during the current window, which closes on February 26th, in deals that have seen Chelsea midfielder Ramires, Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez and Shakhtar Donetsk star Alex Teixeira unexpectedly jump ship to the Super League.
Although Carrick would probably prefer to stay in the Premier League, he may struggle to turn down a lucrative move to the Far East – especially considering Arsenal and Newcastle are unlikely to offer him long-term deals.