IT has taken just a few months for Chinese clubs to feast on Brazilian champion Corinthians.

    Chinese clubs have signed four players from the Sao Paulo-based team’s starting lineup that won the league title in November. The latest to go was defender Gil, who signed last week with Shandong Luneng.

    Brazilian media reported that his transfer fee was US$11 million, with a monthly salary of US$350,000.

    Corinthians club President Roberto de Andrade has lamented that Chinese “clubs don’t even know my name” as they’ve closed in on Brazilian talent.

    Andrade fears the club could be a shadow of itself next season, and is also embarrassed that one of Brazil’s richest teams can’t compete with China’s economic power.

    Midfielder Jadson, who departed for second-division Tianjin Quanjian, and midfielder Ralf, who signed with Chinese Super League team Beijing Guo’an, left the club before Gil.

    Guo’an has also signed midfielder Renato Augusto, who weeks earlier turned down an offer from German club Schalke 04. (SD-Agencies)