Guangzhou R&F Close To Deal With YAKUBU AIYEGBENI

Reports had surfaced last week that Blackburn Rovers forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni had flown to China to sign a contract with CSL club Guangzhou R&F.  Those reports were wide of the mark. Instead, the Nigeria international was in Manchester making travel arrangements.

The BBC's Shina Okeleji has reported that all things being equal, the 29-year-old former Pompey hero will arrive China on Monday to formalize an agreement with the ambitious Chinese Super League club, who are placed fourth in the Championship.

There is speculation in the Chinese media that the physical forward would be offered a two-year deal. There is also talk he would earn as annual wages a huge sum of $10 million (=N=1.5 billion).

But what is certain is Yakubu's nine-year stay in the United Kingdom is over. He is in the plans of Guangzhou R&F gaffer Sérgio Farias, and team tactics will now be tailored to the playing style of the prolific Nigerian striker.

Guangzhou R&F are bankrolled by the hotel and real estate magnate Zhang Li. Forbes rate the 58-year-old tycoon as the 59th richest man in China.

Previously, Yakubu Aiyegbeni played for Maccabi Haifa, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers.