Alibaba founder eyes soccer

Jack Ma (L2) is seen talking with Xu Jiayin (L4) in the photo. [File photo]

Alibaba founder Jack Ma will seal a deal with Evergrande Real Estate Group chairman and Evergrande Football Club boss Xu Jiayin on possible cooperation plans in the soccer field, the Guangzhou Daily reported on Thursday.

The two parties will hold a press conference in Guangzhou at 11a.m. on Thursday to announce the deal, said the newspaper. Most major sports media in the country have already received press invitations from Evergrande FC. However, the Guangzhou-based club refused to provide further details.

Ma has also confirmed Wednesday afternoon on his personal account on Laiwang, a friend interaction platform developed by Alibaba, that he is flying to Guangzhou.

Technology tycoon Ma is not quite a new comer in soccer. In May, Ma was reportedly considering taking over a 49-percent stake in Greentown Football Club in Hangzhou. Although Ma has never confirmed on the deal, he did visit in the training base of Greentown FC last month.

Alibaba Group is targeting a US trading debut date of August 8. Meanwhile, Guangzhou Evergrande has just finished fourth in the 2013 Fifa Club World Cup.