Brazil and Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk is set to make a record-breaking £41.5-million move to Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.
The 29-year-old arrived in China on Wednesday for a medical to complete the deal, which is set to surpass the Asian transfer record of £38.4-million fee Jiangsu Suning paid to acquire the services of Alex Teixeira, also of Brazil.
The Chinese Football Association announced in March it is targeting world football superpower status by 2050, with an upgrade in the stature of its league an apparent first step.
The Chinese football team is currently ranked at 81 in the world by Fifa, with the side having only ever qualified for a World Cup once, back in 2002.
Shanghai manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has also stated he believes the league will continue to attract big name stars.
Photo: Reuters