CHELSEA has made an offer for China and Guangzhou Evergrande defender Zhang Linpeng, Chinese media reported at the weekend.

    The Premier League champion sent a contract Wednesday and hope to secure the 26-year-old right back before the summer transfer window closes Sept. 1, Titan Sports said.

    “I’m very happy and very excited to finally have this formal invitation,” the newspaper quoted Zhang as saying.

    “I’ve worked hard and waited these five-six years for my dream of playing overseas, and finally have recognition from the English Premier League.”

    Zhang and the clubs were working through the terms of his transfer, Titan said. Even if were to go ahead, Zhang said he did not expect to get straight into Premier League soccer.

    Players from non-European Union countries are subject to tighter work permit requirements in Britain, and Chelsea might loan the defender to a European side for a period of time to pave his way into the league.

    Zhang has been a key player in Guangzhou’s success in China and the side’s run to the 2013 Asian Champions League title.

    (SD-Agencies)