With Wolves the latest club to receive investment from China, Johnny Phillips examines the trend and what it means for the game. Abraham Almonte Jersey ... The Chinese revolution? Explaining the explosion of moves to China Ordering a Chinese takeover has never seemed so easy.Earlier this year, the Chinese Super League grabbed global headlines as it broke its transfer record four times in a single month, luring Ramires away from Chelsea and persuading Alex Teixeira to sign for Jiangsu Suning instead of Liverpool. But in recent months, the focus has changed, with many Chinese companies and entrepreneurs linked with European clubs - especially those in England.These are changing times and China is looking to play a huge role in shaping the future of football. Sports business journalist Mark Dreyer, a former colleague on Soccer Saturday, has spent the past eight years in Beijing and has documented much of this for China Sports Insider. Alex Teixeira (right) signed for Jiangsu Suning after opting against moving to Liverpool The government has been actively looking for new areas to drive the economy and the sports sector is one that has been actively targeted, Dreyer says.Chinese president - and football fan - Xi Jinping has announced a long-term vision to overhaul the football industry from top to bottom, with the aim of making China a true global soccer power by 2050.Chinese companies are being encouraged to become more global in their outlook and diversify their businesses to become more competitive both domestically and overseas.Many Chinese companies have been piling into football investment, both at home and abroad, not only because they want to be a part of Chinas next growth story, but because they also want to maintain good government relations. Former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho (right) lifted the Chinese Super League title with Guangzhou Evergrande Right now, the West Midlands appears to be a focal point for much of this interest, with Aston Villa recently bought, Wolves confirming a takeover on Thursday and West Brom the subject of on-going speculation.So little is known overseas about the vast majority of potential Chinese owners that rumours can spread like wildfire, Dreyer adds. Chinas market is so big that investors could emerge from any sector, possibly venturing into sports for the first time.In fact, Chinese companies are making deals in the energy, real estate, transport and consumer sectors that often run to billions of dollars, so these football purchases equate to mere pocket change in comparison.As a rule, I would say nine out of 10 stories dont really have much basis in reality - but fans keep hoping that their club is the lucky tenth one.So who are the potential investors with real clout? Wang Jianlin, chairman of Wanda Group, has a 20 per cent stake in Atletico Madrid and has been linked with West Brom Wang Jianlin, chairman of the Wanda Group [recently linked with West Brom], and Chinas richest man, is definitely leading the way here. Not only was he among the first to make an overseas investment with a 20 per cent stake in Atletico Madrid, but he has also made some massive deals.Elsewhere, Jack Ma - chairman of Alibaba, Chinas second richest man and seen as an Asian equivalent to Steve Jobs - owns 40 per cent of Guangzhou Evergrande, Chinas leading domestic club and winner of the Asian Champions League twice in the past three years.Then theres Zhang Jindong, whose Suning e-commerce group owns a team in the Chinese Super League that broke the Chinese transfer fee record twice earlier this year and also purchased Inter Milan last month.The long-term plan is evident, as Dreyer explains. Towards the end of last year, China Media Capital (CMC) led a group that invested $400m into the City Football Group, Manchester Citys parent company, in exchange for 13 per cent of the company. Sergio Aguero poses for a photo with Chinas president Xi Jinping and former prime minister David Cameron The franchise model, with clubs in the US, UK, Japan and Australia, plus Manchester Citys impressive academy set-up are both elements that Chinese football is known to favour.Instead of attempting to buy the whole thing, the idea is that this investment can be used as a way to see how the club is run and some of that expertise can be brought back to China.Of course, it didnt hurt that Chinese legend Sun Jihai played for Manchester City or that President Xi had posed for a selfie with Sergio Aguero on a visit to the training ground just weeks before the deal was announced.What of Aston Villa, where Dr Tony Xia has taken over? New Aston Villa owner Dr Tony Xia My advice would be to take the big statements of intent with a pinch of salt, says Dreyer.There are dozens of top European clubs all actively trying to crack the Chinese market and Chinese fans wont flock to Villa simply because of their owner - but Villa fans have had such a torrid time in recent years that even modest improvement on the pitch would be a big step forward.Should Wolves fans be getting carried away? Robin Li, founder of search engine Baidu, was first reported to be purchasing the club and now Fosun International, a Shanghai investment company, have completed a Molineux buyout.Founder Guo Guangchang is another in the upper reaches of Chinas rich list. Fosuns previous investments in Club Med, Thomas Cook, Cirque du Soleil and other health and happiness deals, as they put it, should stand them in good stead.Put it this way - my guess is that Wolves will be higher up the league table than Villa ten years from now! How are the Chinese Super League signings doing? Have Jackson Martinez, Gervinho and Alex Teixeira been a success? Dreyer is convinced there will be many more takeover stories over the coming months, not least due to the changing political environment.Undoubtedly the weaker pound, following the Brexit vote, has made English clubs that much more attractive in recent weeks. Wanda specifically mentioned this as a factor when it announced a deal to buy the Odeon and UCI cinema chain last week.The Premier League may have missed a trick when it failed to renegotiate the television rights deal with Chinas national broadcaster CCTV 10 years ago. Since then, Europes other leagues have garnered interest from football fans in China. But now it appears that English football is attracting attention once more.Every week there are new targets - and new buyers. With the Villa and Wolves local rivalry now gaining an oriental sub-plot, and West Brom looking to follow suit, a Chinese takeover could be coming to a club near you soon. Also See: Wolves set for ￡45m takeover Edwards on Wolves takeover Lucas Duda Jersey . -- Catriona Matthew remained atop the Airbus LPGA Classic leaderboard Friday, birdieing four of the last seven holes to take a one-stroke advantage over Charley Hull into the weekend. Brian Flynn Jersey .com) - Graeme McDowell opened up with a first- round, 5-under 67 on Thursday and he holds a 2-shot lead at the WGC - HSBC Champions. http://www.royalsteamproshop.com/Royals-George-Brett-Kids-Jersey/ . The Stampeders announced the move on Wednesday. Bell spent his first two CFL seasons with the B.KAPOLEI, Hawaii - NFL great Deion Sanders took quarterback Andrew Luck and Cam Newton with his first skill position picks in the Pro Bowl draft Wednesday, moving for passers early before focusing on defence in building a team for one win. Jerry Rice took New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham then Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy with his first two picks, giving active player captain Drew Brees his top target early to go along with two Saints offensive linemen picked Tuesday. "I wouldnt rather be with anybody else, obviously," Graham told reporters after being picked. All five Saints in the Pro Bowl ended up on Rices team. The picks kicked off the three-hour process of divvying up 60 players for the Sunday all-star game. The draft played out on a beachside estate used for weddings and luaus on Oahus west side, adjacent to the plush Ko Olina resort where the players are staying for the week with their families. About 1,000 fans attended the draft, which had cheerleaders, mascots, lei for each player and colored surfboards used as draft boards. The game is being played in an "unconferenced" format for the first time, straying from its usual AFC vs. NFC teams. Sanders and Rice picked captains and their first 11 players each on Tuesday. The new format is meant to liven up the all-star game, which has been criticized by fans and even Commissioner Roger Goodell for the quality of play. The draft embraces the popular hobby of fantasy football and put many players in the interesting situation of having to watch two of the NFLs biggest personalities pass them up. "It looks like Im waiting," Chicago wide receiver Brandon Marshall said after watching four receivers come off the board — including his teammate Alshon Jeffery. "This is sad — real sad." Sanders retorted: "Somebody get him some aspirin." Eric Weddle, a San Diego safety who was the third safety picked, said he didnt mind having to wait in a lounge area with the other players while Sanders and Rice took 2 minutes each to make picks, with breaks for commercials in the live telecast. "It ddoesnt really matter — just chilling 17 hours in here right now," Weddle said. Cheslor Cuthbert Jersey. "When it comes to Sunday, Ill be on the field in the fourth quarter and ready to wreck shop." Defensive end Mario Williams became the first player to be assigned when he was the last player at his position off the board at his position. "Just be careful where you throw the ball," Williams said afterward toward Brees. Williams said things played out largely how he anticipated, with teammates picking one another and Sanders playing mind games. Other players assigned included Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle and New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski to Rice. Sanders was assigned tight ends Jordan Cameron of Cleveland and Jason Witten of Dallas, along with Jacksonville linebacker Paul Posluszny. "Theres been some questionable picks," Posluszny said. Quarterbacks Nick Foles and Alex Smith were the last players taken, with Sanders picking Foles and Smith being assigned to Sanders nine years after being the top pick overall in the NFL draft. Rice then forced a trade on Sanders as allowed under the rules, taking Sanders sixth-round pick of Indianapolis linebacker Robert Mathis, sending back Brian Orakpo. Rice had said since being named captain that he wanted Mathis on his team, while Mathis and Sanders have traded jabs on Twitter after Sanders asserted he only wanted young players on his team. Sanders picked wideouts Dez Bryant and A.J. Green, while Rice chose Josh Gordon along with Jeffery. Luck playing for Team Sanders puts him on the same team led by his head coach in Indianapolis, Chuck Pagano. Luck said that will help him as players get accustomed to Paganos style. Beyond McCoy going second to Rice on Wednesday and Kansas Citys Jamaal Charles being a captain for Sanders, neither manager took a running back early, preferring to pick defenders and receivers. Rice later took DeMarco Murray and Matt Forte, while Sanders took Eddie Lacy and was assigned Washingtons Alfred Morris. ' ' '