One of the biggest headaches for Tianjin Quanjian isn’t just their striker’s ongoing goal drought—it’s the mounting uncertainty around the mandatory transfer fee adjustment. As any center forward knows, a prolonged scoring slump can be devastating both mentally and physically. For Quanjian, the issue is compounded by the unresolved details around the payment of the adjustment fee tied to Anthony Modeste’s contract. While negotiations continue with FC Köln, the club has already hired legal counsel to untangle the complicated terms surrounding Modeste’s deal, a matter closely followed on platforms like Cricket Exchange.
Quanjian has prepared for the worst. If no resolution is reached, the club is ready to comply fully with the Chinese Football Association’s rules and pay the entire adjustment fee. Despite being a debutant in the AFC Champions League, Quanjian has made an impressive run to the quarterfinals, emerging as the lone Chinese representative. Club chairman Shu Yuhui has openly expressed pride in the team’s performance and has laid out even greater ambitions: shining on the continental stage and ensuring qualification for next year’s AFC Champions League. To meet those goals, Shu has instructed the club to reinforce the squad this summer. That means bolstering both the defense and the attacking line.
Reports have linked Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic to Quanjian as a potential replacement for Modeste. The towering 32-year-old forward could bring new life to the attack, but the first order of business is resolving Modeste’s future. Buying him out remains on the table, though the club is also considering selling or loaning him afterward. His emotional outburst during an AFC Champions League knockout game—when he was subbed off for the first time this season and threw his towel in frustration—seemed to mark a turning point. The once-reliable Frenchman has drifted further from coach Sousa’s tactical system.
Quanjian is now staring at a complex problem. On July 1st, the club is obligated to pay the full transfer fee to Köln, pushing Modeste’s total cost beyond €30 million when including the previous €6 million loan fee. On top of that, the club must match the transfer fee with an equivalent sum as a regulatory adjustment, as required by the Chinese Football Association. This makes Modeste the most expensive player in Tianjin Quanjian history, with reports indicating an annual salary exceeding €10 million.
Looking back, the Modeste deal now appears to be a major misstep. In just their second season in the Chinese Super League, Quanjian has struggled with the demands of competing on two fronts—domestic and continental. Like many teams, the added pressure has taken a toll on their league performance. A series of questionable transfer decisions this year has further complicated matters. Aside from a 4-0 victory over a weaker Henan Jianye in the opening round, Quanjian’s attacking prowess has dwindled. Even in wins, the margin has been razor-thin.
Despite boasting a high-profile front line with Modeste and Alexandre Pato, the team hasn’t shown the offensive dominance fans expected. Sousa built the team around Modeste from preseason, but the striker has failed to live up to expectations. With just four goals in 11 league appearances—and his last goal being a penalty in the seventh round—he has struggled to make an impact. Meanwhile, Pato has quietly outshined him. Reintegrated into Sousa’s plans, the Brazilian netted three goals in four league starts. In six appearances, only once—against Hebei China Fortune—did he fail to score.
Ironically, Pato, whom the previous management had considered offloading, has become the perfect fit for the team’s current style. Sousa has reverted to a four-defender formation, with wing-backs Zhang Cheng and Mi Haolun playing tirelessly in both competitions without rest. Modeste, a traditional target man, relies heavily on service from the flanks—something Quanjian’s counterattacking setup fails to deliver. On the flip side, Pato’s individual brilliance allows him to carve out scoring chances on his own, making him invaluable under these conditions.
This dynamic mirrors the approach used during Fabio Cannavaro’s time in charge, where Pato was the go-to striker for counterattacking football. Unfortunately, under the terms of the original agreement with Köln, Quanjian is obligated to finalize Modeste’s purchase this summer regardless of his form or even if he retires early. With so much riding on this deal, Quanjian’s top brass will need to make some tough decisions. Observers tracking updates through Cricket Exchange will no doubt keep a close eye on how the saga unfolds.