Big-money move: Trent Sainsbury is off to Jiangsu Sainty in China. Credit:Brendan Esposito "The Chinese government have pinpointed football as critical for their success as a nation and the plan is very clear - it ends with them winning the World Cup," he said. "They are determined to make it a reality and have informed the business leaders that they expect to see massive investment in football. It's something that will be looked upon very favourably." Rallis said that rather than having China simply import intel from abroad, they were preparing to go much deeper in training their players to become champions. "They've realised they need an enormous, concerted effort in order to produce the kind of players capable of winning World Cups," he said. "It's not just about buying coaches or making the Chinese Super League grow. Look at the players there last season - Robinho, Demba Ba, Cahill, Paulinho, Asamoah Gyan. It's already rising faster than most people are aware of." And that's where Australia comes into the frame.

"It's a certainty that Chinese investors will look to buy A-League clubs. They see massive, untapped potential in Australia and, specifically, their academies," Rallis said. "They see our academies as places where you can have a 12-year-old, let him grow and develop, and come out as a better player with a complete football education. "The great part is they don't want to replace Australian kids, they want top Chinese juniors to learn alongside Australian juniors. So Australia gets to reap the benefits of academies that are well-resourced with top coaches, increased competition and better players." "It won't just be Australia, of course. There's nations around the world they've already begun identifying as places where they can roll-out this model. But they definitely see Australia as the ideal fit." The Chinese, according to Rallis, believe Australia is a stable market, boasting strong football knowledge and a system free of corruption. "With the exception of one or two clubs, they perceive that the A-League is well run," he said. "To purchase a club will also cost a lot less than clubs elsewhere. For them, the return on investment will be very strong.

"Four of the nine Australian-based A-League clubs are foreign owned but I expect that number could double over the next few years, which helps us pave the way for expansion." The Newcastle Jets are up for sale by the FFA and Rallis said the owners at Jiangsu had already contemplated an approach. He also reckoned that A-League fans could also get what they've been demanding most: big names. "These guys are very clued in to what the A-League needs. They know it needs big stars and a better television deal and they're right across this," Rallis said. "They'll have no trouble dropping the money on a Chris Gayle-type marquee because they know they return will come in television rights. They can cope with losing five or six million dollars per season if what they are getting, long-term, is significantly more valuable. "Put it this way - Jiangsu offered Yaya Toure $500,000 net per week to play there. That's the financial ball park they're playing in."

With several A-League owners struggling to come up with the finances required to keep going, Rallis said the FFA needed to enact a plan to make sure the investment materialised. "Europe is financially ruined and long-term, China is where it's all going to happen, especially in regards to Australia," he said. "Inside ten years, Asian investment will drive world football. In many ways, it already is. But this is our chance."