Shanghai Shenhua, employers of Obafemi Martins are among 13 clubs in the Chinese Super League who have been told to clear debts or face a ban from the competition next season.
Martins moved from MLS side, Seattle Sounders in 2016 after spending two seasons in North America.
Though it cannot be ascertained if the 32-year-old is one of the players owed by the club, Shanghai Shenhua have said “they were investigating and would finalise outstanding payments as soon as possible,” per BBC Sport.
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) wrote to all but three of the country’s 16 top-flight clubs, as well as five lower-league teams.
The CFA claimed the clubs had outstanding debts on player transfers, salaries or bonuses.
Chinese football authorities have sought to crack down on spending, with new regulations put in place that mean loss-making clubs are hit with a 100% tax on signing players from overseas, effectively doubling transfer fees.
The CFA has also reduced the number of overseas players permitted in matchday squads.
