Report: Sessegnon On The Verge Of Chinese Move?

Reports are coming out of China today that suggest Stephane Sessegnon could be on the verge of a move to Tianjin Teda of the Chinese Super League.

According to a reporter for the Tianjin TV show 'Sports Vision', Li Zhikun;

A month has passed .... The result is not bad. A black hand to lead successful fight against relegation, this experience is very important to welcome you, Sessegnon.

In a press conference, Tianjin's manager, Alexandre Guimarães, refused to acknowledge that Sessegnon had joined his team;

Up until now, from what I know the news, the outside world is just hearsay. Currently, there is no intention to reach even foreign aid and clubs to complete the transaction, at least, I know nothing about it.

But sources inside the club were quick to confirm that Sessegnon is close to completing a move to Tianjin and a club official refused to confirm or deny the move but did suggest a transfer surprise was in the offing once their transfer window opens;

We have a great choice of foreign aid on hand, but fame is not small, need to wait until the publication of the list, it will give bring a surprise to outsiders.

There are suggestions that Shanghai Shenhua were also interested in Sessegnon, with a club insider saying;

Originally, Shanghai Shenhua also spotted Sessegnon, but taking into account the needs of TEDA and their fight against relegation, Shenhua were very generous to give up chase.

Whether there is any truth to these claims remain to be seen but Sessegnon has been consistently linked with a move away from the club since the season ended, with Marseille one of the clubs linked. However any move was supposed to be because of Sessegnon wanting a return to France, so a prospective move to China will undoubtedly bring comparisons to Asamoah Gyan, who moved to an inferior league for big money.

If a move for Sessegnon does materialise, it will only add more money to the coffers and with Mignolet's move to Liverpool edging closer, Sunderland should have plenty of money to spend in the transfer market. One thing is for sure, this squad overhaul is in full swing and come the Fulham game, the first XI will be unrecognisable from the team that lost to Spurs on the final day of last season.