China’s route to the famous gates of Liverpool FC, one of England’s most storied football clubs, started about 30 miles away in Manchester.
During a state visit to the UK last October, Chinese president Xi Jinping went to the training ground of Manchester City, posing for a selfie with star striker Sergio Aguero and the then UK prime minister David Cameron. As the picture did the rounds on social media back home, the image was noticed by some of the country’s richest business people.
Since then, Chinese groups have spent billions of dollars acquiring stakes in European football clubs, media rights agencies and other sports entities. Chinese football clubs have meanwhile broken transfer fee records to buy star players from the European game. Mr Xi’s stated desire is to transform China into a “great sports nation” that will host a world cup, and win it.