Yakubu Closes In On Guangzhou Deal

Nigeria forward, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, is close to signing a lucrative deal that will see him play for Chinese Super League side, Guangzhou R and F.

Yakubu, who hit China yesterday, has agreed personal terms and signed a deal worth about €6 million a year.

Vice President of Guangzhou R and F, Lu Yi, said the deal is just one percent away from being sealed with the Super Eagles’ striker.

“We are in final talks with him, and the negotiation is almost done. The job is 99 percent done. If nothing goes wrong with the final one percent, we will start doing the registration in the Chinese league for him,” Yi told Xinhua.

SuperSport.com reports that the complete details of the deal still remain under wrap until the 29-year-old signs this week.

According to Yi, the Chinese club have been in contact with English side, Blackburn Rovers for Aiyegbeni “since two months ago.”

“I can’t say anything about the contract now. Two months ago, we began contact with Blackburn and the player. He has been our first choice in the position of centre forward,” he said.

“I believe Aiyegbeni is the one we need most. He has a good reputation and his ability has been tested in the world’s most competitive league.”

Aiyegbeni scored 17 goals in the English Premier League last season but Blackburn were relegated leaving him with the option of an exit.

The Nigerian will become the second high profile African footballer to sign for a Chinese club after Cote d’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba penned a deal with Shanghai Shenhua.