Super Eagles duo John Obi Mikel and Odion Ighalo could depart the Chinese Super league by January after a new rule reducing the pay were enacted by the league.
Media reports has it that Ighalo is set to depart his club Yatai after the side was relegated from the Super league. Mikel on the other hand has spent large chunk of time on the sidelines and this has kept his future with the club in doubt.
Mikel and Ighalo are expected to act fast as all clubs in the Chinese league are subject to the new rules.
China Football Association (CFA) has taken conscious steps in recent years to curb wastefulness by top-flight clubs, who have spent vast sums to lure high-profile overseas players and coaches to the country.
As part of the new regulations, the CFA would introduce restrictions on cash injections for clubs, as well as player bonuses, transfer fees and salaries.
The rules will require clubs to adhere to unified accounting and player contract standards, while the salary cap will set limits on the amount of earnings they can spend on player remuneration.
By the 2019 season, every domestic player must sign labour contracts and single-game bonus limits will be introduced, with the amounts announced at the start of each season. Cash payments and similar types of awards will be forbidden.
This could force a host of high profile players out of the leagues with Paulinho and Oscar in the list.