Wolves on prowl for CSL’s top sniper
SHANGHAI — Chinese Super League (CSL) top scorer Wu Lei, who has been linked with a transfer to the English Premier League’s Wolverhampton Wolves, says he would move abroad for the right offer.
The 27-year-old was named CSL player of the year on Wednesday after sniping 27 goals to help Shanghai SIPG to it first league championship.
The 27-year-old Wu, who also plays for China’s national squad, has reportedly been approached by Wolverhampton, which is owned by the Chinese investment conglomerate Fosun International.
“I think it needs to be considered in many ways,” Wu, who also made 10 assists in the just-finished Chinese season, said of a move away from the CSL.
“But at my age, if I go abroad I must play, this is very important,” Wu said after confirming his status as China’s best player.
“In the right environment I can really improve and I can help the national team when I come back. I think it depends on the timing and other factors.”
Wu, who has 57 caps and 12 international goals, was dubbed “China’s Maradona” by the coach who discovered him.
A sprightly winger, he topped the CSL scoring charts ahead of a clutch of foreign stars including SIPG teammate Hulk, Odion Ighalo, Cedric Bakambu, Graziano Pelle and Alexandre Pato.
From the 2008 to 2017 season, the CSL’s top scorers were all foreigners. Former Guangzhou Evergrande forward Elkeson from Brazil still holds the CSL record of 28 goals in a single season, which he made in 2014.