GUANGZHOU - Chinese Super League champion Guangzhou Evergrande has vowed to bring in a world-class player by the middle of the year after a lackluster time in the preseason market.

The Cantonese club, which broke the domestic league's transfer record with several big signings last year, has retained its foreign contingent for the new season, but has so far missed out on luring the likes of Didier Drogba and Park Ji-sung.

"There were a lot rumors, day by day, saying Evergrande would buy some players, but none of them were true," said Xu Jiayin, president of the Evergrande Group. "The club has set high standards for new signings and we will bring you some surprise at the middle of the season."