Reports have emerged that Guangzhou Evergrande is actively exploring the acquisition of a Premier League or Major League Soccer (MLS) club, with business tycoons Xu Jiayin and Jack Ma reportedly planning to jointly fund the investment. Spanish sports outlet AS cited multiple sources claiming that Evergrande has shown strong interest in buying into the Premier League.
While the specific club involved has not been disclosed, the report highlights that the Premier League enjoys immense popularity across Asia—particularly in southern China’s Guangdong province. Acquiring an English top-flight team would significantly boost Evergrande’s global brand visibility, aligning with their ambitions of international expansion.
According to the report, Jack Ma—whose Alibaba Group holds a 40% stake in Guangzhou Evergrande—and Xu Jiayin, the founder and CEO of Evergrande Group, are both expected to contribute to the purchase. Their combined resources would enable the kind of high-profile acquisition that could instantly shift the global football landscape.
In addition to a Premier League investment, Evergrande is said to be eyeing the MLS as a strategic gateway into the North American market. AS reported that Evergrande is considering either purchasing an existing franchise or establishing a new team in the U.S. While the plan remains in early stages, it’s clear the company intends to replicate a model similar to City Football Group, the powerful consortium behind Manchester City and its global football network.
The growing interest from Chinese companies in acquiring sports franchises across Europe and North America signals a broader shift. Over the past few months, Chinese capital has increasingly targeted Western sports properties, moving beyond flashy transfer fees to long-term ownership and influence.
As AS puts it, the future of Chinese football is not just about big-name signings and headline-grabbing spending sprees. It’s about expanding financial footprints and gaining international recognition through strategic club ownership. If these moves materialize, names like Xu Jiayin and Jack Ma could soon be as familiar in Premier League boardrooms as they are in Chinese business circles.
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