Brighton striker Tomer Hemed wanted by Shanghai Shenhua in China for £5m
Financial fairplay rules in CSL transfer market mean Seagulls' man has become a top target
SHANGHAI SHENHUA are leading the chase among Chinese Super League clubs for Tomer Hemed.
The Brighton striker’s market valuation has sparked interest in the Far East for the next CSL campaign starting in March.
China’s FA make clubs splashing out more the £5.2million for a player to pay the same again to boost youth development.
And Hemed, who is out of contract at the end of the season, could go for just under that mark at £5million.
The 30-year-old was a target for Reading in the summer.
But Chris Hughton kept him at the Amex Stadium as he failed to land the strikers he wanted.
Brighton Transfer Stories
Hemed then scored crucial goals in the wins over West Bromwich and Newcastle.
But he was also banned for three games after a stamp on Toon full-back DeAndre Yedlin.
His suspension was imposed retrospectively and he missed the games against Arsenal, Everton and West Ham.
He returned to the matchday squad for the draw against Southampton at the weekend.
Premier League pundit Leroy Rosenior, dad of Albion defender Liam, has been impressed with Hemed.
He said: After that goal against West Brom you could see his chest lift, he grew about an inch and it was such a shame that he suffered the suspension.
"With Tomer, he is somebody who knows the club, he isn't coming in with the pressure of a big price tag, and he's got everyone at the club willing him on to do well.
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"That is a real plus from a Brighton point of view."
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