Espanyol's Chinese owners target Champions League

Struggling La Liga side Espanyol's new Chinese president Chen Yansheng has targeted Champions League soccer within three years, a day after taking charge of the Barcelona-based club.

Chen's Rastar Group, which specializes in model cars, completed its 54 percent takeover of the club on Wednesday.

"The internal objective we have in mind is to get into Europe next year," he said.

"I hope that it will be less than three years to be in the Champions League, although the coach is present and I don't want to put too much pressure on him."

Espanyol is currently in 14th place in La Liga, just five points above the relegation zone.

Moreover, the club, which was struggling with debts to the tax authorities, has perennially been overshadowed by city rival and European champion Barcelona.

"I believe that a city like Barcelona can have two powerful clubs," said Chen.

"With our presence, Espanyol will not have to sell players for economic reasons."

The deal is the latest example of the rising influence of the Asian market in Spanish soccer.

"The investment is the first step in the internationalization of the Rastar Group and also the first step in the internationalization of Espanyol."

Earlier this year, China's Wanda Group bought a 20 percent stake in 2014 La Liga champion Atletico Madrid.

Singaporean businessman Peter Lim is also the major shareholder in Valencia.

Chen also said he will attend Saturday's home game against Villarreal.

(China Daily 01/23/2016 page11)