Chinese club to purchase Brazilian star for record $32 million

Geuvanio of Santos in action during the match between Santos and Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Series A 2014 at Arena Pantanal stadium on November 23, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil.[Photo/CFP]

The Tianjin Quanjian FC of the China League One is to purchase the rights to 23-year-old Brazilian striker Geuvanio Santos Silva for 30 million Euros ($32.7 million), according to China Youth Daily's website. The deal has not yet been officially confirmed.

If it is confirmed, the deal will become the largest sum spent on a player in China League One history.

Last season, Geuvanio scored five goals along with three assists for Santos FC of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He was one of the most eminent members of Santos FC, a team that once saw the likes of Pele and Neymar.

They've spent big money on players like goalkeeper Zhang Lu, striker Sun Ke, paying them $10.7 million and $10 million dollars respectively.

The move is a recurring theme for Tianjin Quanjian FC as they look to buy their way to a China League One title and earn their place in China's top league, the Chinese Super League.

Geuvanio ranks first on the list of international football transfers during the winter 2015/16 season, with Zhang ranking 5th and Sun ranking 7th.

"On importing prominent foreign players, we will spare no effort," said Tianjin Quanjian FC general manager, indicating that they will make further endeavors to buy another young Brazilian star, Alexandre Pato.