Reining in the spending spree

It seems inevitable the Chinese Football Association will slash the cash splash in the nation's pro soccer market, with the latest reports indicating the salary cap for Chinese Super League clubs will be set at just 5.5 million yuan ($796,000) after tax next season.

While no official announcement has been made, Tencent Sports reported on Monday the CFA will set each club's total expenditure cap at 1.2 billion yuan, the investment cap at 650 million yuan and the before-tax salary cap at 10 million yuan.

Moreover, each CSL club will be permitted to dress four foreign players per game next season, while three foreign players per game will be allowed in the second-tier China League One.