China transfers hit new record despite crackdown


Chinese clubs splashed a record 388 million euros ($411 million) on footballers in the January-February transfer window despite an official crackdown on spending, with Oscar's heavyweight move to Shanghai SIPG leading the way.In spite of moves to curb "irrational" expenditure, China's top tier beat last year's record of 345 million euros and outstripped the English Premier League's winter spending (259 million euros) for the second year in a row, according to industry website transfermarkt.com.Chelsea midfielder Oscar's Asian-record, 60-million-euro move to Shanghai SIPG reportedly made him the world's second highest paid player -- behind Carlos Tevez, who joined city rivals Shanghai Shenhua. Rumoured moves for Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney failed to materialise but Axel Witsel and Alexandre Pato were among other big names to join the Chinese Super League, while Zhang Chengdong became China's most expensive player.