Nigeria international Obafemi Martins could be leaving the Seattle Sounder for the Chinese Super League, according to sources. Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports

The surge in spending by teams in the Chinese Super League could be about to affect Major League Soccer, with Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins now a target, according to multiple ESPN FC sources.

One source with knowledge of the negotiations emphasized that the situation involving Martins is fluid, but that the Nigerian has attracted interest from multiple Chinese clubs. The source added that Martins is by no means the only MLS player to be pursued by teams in China, though declined to elaborate further.

CSL teams must adhere to a limit of five foreigners, with one of those five coming from Asia. At present, just four of the 16 clubs in China's top flight have an available foreigner slot, but with the CSL transfer window not set to close until Feb. 26, there is still plenty of time for teams to work out a deal to make room for another foreign signing.