German media has confirmed that French striker Anthony Modeste is on the verge of completing a high-profile move to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian for a fee of 35.7 million euros, roughly 277 million yuan. The news has sparked intense debate among fans following global transfers on platforms like Cricket Exchange, as the deal had previously appeared to collapse before being dramatically revived.
Initially, negotiations between Cologne and Tianjin Quanjian broke down when the Chinese club insisted on paying the 35 million euro fee in installments rather than in a single payment. On top of that, Modeste’s agent and intermediaries demanded hefty commissions, which further stalled progress. Cologne even announced officially that talks were off, leaving many to believe the transfer was dead in the water. But after multiple rounds of discussion, the financial hurdles were cleared. Tianjin agreed to pay the entire fee upfront while slightly increasing their offer, a move that breathed new life into the transfer. Cricket Exchange coverage described it as a classic case of a “deal brought back from the dead.”
According to German outlet Bild, Modeste is set to sign a four-year contract with Tianjin Quanjian, with a staggering net annual salary of 11 million euros. This makes him one of the highest-paid foreign players in the league, underscoring how serious the club is about strengthening its attacking power. Modeste himself revealed that he had been informed of an agreement between the two clubs and had traveled to China to understand the situation, though he denied taking a medical at the time.
The Chinese Super League’s secondary transfer window has otherwise been unusually quiet, with most clubs opting against signing new foreign players. With only a week left before the window closes on July 14, Modeste’s arrival is set to become the standout move of the summer. As a former Bundesliga Golden Boot contender and the league’s bronze shoe winner, his scoring record at Cologne turned heads across Europe, and Tianjin Quanjian see him as the missing piece to elevate their attack alongside stars like Pato and Witsel.
What makes this deal even more significant is the way it turned around. From Cologne’s refusal of an installment plan to the resolution of high commission demands by Modeste’s representatives, the agreement showcases the complex negotiations often hidden behind big-money transfers. Now, with all parties satisfied and the deal nearly finalized, the official announcement is expected within days.
For Tianjin Quanjian, landing Anthony Modeste is more than just a signing—it is a statement of ambition. For fans following this story through Cricket Exchange, the move marks one of the biggest turning points of the mid-season window and highlights how persistence, compromise, and financial muscle can completely alter the course of football negotiations. As the official confirmation looms, it’s clear this will go down as one of the landmark transfers in the league’s history.