Mystery-shrouded move a test of CFA's new levy on foreign imports

SHANGHAI - Cedric Bakambu's protracted $49 million move from Villarreal to Beijing Guo'an is a litmus test of Chinese soccer's 100 percent transfer tax and could have ramifications from Spain to England and beyond.

Two weeks after the France-born Congolese striker declared he was leaving La Liga for the riches of the Chinese Super League, Guo'an has yet to officially announce his signature and the deal is mired in uncertainty and confusion.

Experts and some Chinese media say the club is likely in talks with the Chinese Football Association about pushing the transfer through without having to pay the CFA's punishing levy.

In May last year the CFA, worried about an influx of well-paid foreigners, said it would slap a 100 percent tax on incoming transfers worth over 45 million yuan ($7 million).

The surcharge would go into a fund for improving grassroots soccer in China.

The unprecedented move had its desired effect and last summer's transfer window fizzled out, the only major arrival to the CSL being striker Anthony Modeste on a two-year loan deal to Tianjin Quanjian from Cologne.

The arrangement allowed Tianjin to avoid shelling out twice the amount - and now Guo'an appears to be trying to do likewise, albeit by another method.

Ji Zhe, director at London-based sports marketing firm Red Lantern and an expert on Chinese soccer, said the CFA was in a precarious position.

"There's no telling what might be happening now: there could be haggling with the CFA, they might strike a deal and sweep it under the carpet," said Ji.

"If so, the CFA risks other clubs also flouting the rules and could lose control."