Chinese Super League newcomers Graziano Pellè and Hulk are among the top six highest-paid footballers in the world right now, joining an elite list of players that includes Ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazilian captain Neymar, and newly-signed Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimović.

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SkySports reported that CSL club Shandong Luneng's recent £13 million signing of Italian striker Pellè from English Premier League side Southampton made him "one of the world's wealthiest footballers", earning him a total of £260,000 per week.

The 30-year-old Italy international's weekly wage is now the same as what former Paris Saint-Germain striker and Ligue 1 top scorer Ibrahimović is set to receive from the Red Devils next season as they are tied at fifth place in the world's highest-paid football players.

Meanwhile, Shanghai SIPG's record-breaking £47 million acquisition of former Zenit Saint Petersburg winger Hulk made the Campina Grande, Brazil native land tied for the second and third spots in the list with five-time Ballon d'Or awardee and FC Barcelona superstar Messi at a weekly salary of £327,000.

Hulk officially signed for the Massive on June 30, breaking the previous China transfer record of £42 million set in February when Jiangsu Suning snagged Brazilian forward Alex Teixeira from Ukrainian Premier League squad Shakhtar Donetsk.

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo still tops the list at £346,000 per week while Messi's Barça teammate and Seleção skipper Neymar rounds it out at £312,000 per week for fourth place.

Daily Mail Online noted that Hulk and Pellè's signings are not the end of China's worldwide spending and could only be the beginning for the Chinese President Xi Jinping-led football revolution.

"It has really taken off in the last year," football agent Emanuele Palladino said. "China wants to be seen as a force in football and the way they do that is to spend money. They hope to inspire future generations and ultimately the goal is to make the Chinese national team a force."

"It is a very exciting market. There are limitless opportunities and it's just the start of the journey. The financial rewards for players are huge," he added.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Graziano Pelle, Hulk