Jamaican international Darren Mattocks is on the brink of a potential move away from the Vancouver Whitecaps to play his professional soccer in China.

Vancouver's Mattocks could move away from MLS

According to an SI.com report, Grant Wahl reported that Mattocks could be on his way out of Vancouver. In his report, Wahl said Mattocks is being pursued by an unnamed club in the Chinese Super League. However, Wahl noted that the deal is far from being finalized.

The move may not come as a big surprise to many Major League Soccer fans. Mattocks has struggled to produce going forward for the Whitecaps in recent years. According to WhoScored.com, Mattocks made 15 appearances last season in MLS, making nine starts and scoring a mere three goals. 

Mattocks, 25, has not become the attacking threat many believed he would become as his three goals last season were accompanied by only one assist [Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images]
Mattocks, 25, has not become the attacking threat many believed he would become as his three goals last season were accompanied by only one assist [Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images]

Mattocks has not materialized into a serious threat going forward, and with the offseason addition of Panamian striker Blas Pérez, Mattocks could find it difficult to crack into the starting 11 for Vancouver.

Mattocks is a striker built more around pace and agility. Pérez provides Vancouver with another dimension going forward. At 6'1, Pérez offers plenty of height for wingers like Kekuta Manneh to swing in crosses for headers. Pérez also possesses a good finish. 

According to WhoScored.com, Pérez, 34, scored six goals and had two assists in 14 appearances for FC Dallas, making Pérez's goal tally double that of Mattocks last season. 

If Mattocks is to move to China, he will not be the first MLS player to do so in this transfer window. 

China making big moves in transfer market

This rumor surrounding Mattocks follows after Obafemi Martins of the Seattle Sounders made his move to China. SI.com reported that Martins was sold from Seattle to Shanghai Shenua for $2 million. The deal will be finalized upon Martins' obtaining an entry visa.

The Chinese Super League is continuing to attract big-name players in this current transfer window and has now broken into the MLS. This transfer window has already seen Ezequiel Lavezzi, Ramires, Jackson Martínez, Gervinho, Fredy Guarín and Martins make moves to China. And there may still be plenty more transfers to China still to come as the Chinese transfer window does not shut until Feb. 26.