Recent reports are out that the Chinese Super League will soon target big-name English Premier League players as the well of football talent in South America, currently the China top flight's source of imported geniuses, is beginning to 'dry up'.

The story was launched when leading Chinese sports organizer Eric Gao announced during a press conference on Tuesday that the country's first division domestic competitions is starting to look to England when scouting potential imports as "the well of South America-based talent was running dry", according to Channel News Asia.

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"I am working closely with the Beijing and Shanghai clubs on targeting players," said Gao.

"Even last night I talked with people from UEFA and they said 'Eric can you find us an agent to help buy some players'. For us, from our point of view there are not many players left in South America. That well is drying up," he added.

Gao also noted that the CSL has the full support of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is a football lover himself, in turning China as one of the world's football superpowers. He then said that Chinese people are great investors and that "England and the Premier League clubs will become more and more of a target".

"In terms of the Premier League, there are no limits. Chinese clubs will pay players two or three times more than they are at present," Gao said. "The players would make more money at Chinese clubs."

Gao then revealed that capital city team Beijing Guoan already as a shortlist of Manchester City players that interest them, but he did not disclose the names of the players inside the Imperial Guards' crosshairs.

City is currently led by the likes of England's Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph, Argentina's Sergio Agüero and Nicolas Otamendi, Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, Spain's David Silva and Jesus Navas, and Ivory Coast's Yaya Touré and Wilfried Bony.

Gao also said that former England national team coach Roy Hodgson, who just resigned from his post after the Three Lions' recent Euro 2016 knockout stage loss to Iceland, will be a target of CSL clubs from hereon.

"I know that lots of clubs in the Chinese Super League would love to be able to sign a coach of the caliber of Roy Hodgson," said Gao, as per the Sun Daily. "If anyone has his number or that of his agent I would love to have it."

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League rumors, Premier League, beijing guoan fc