In the next few months, Atlético will open 200 retail outlets throughout China, according to Juan Casáñez of AS. As such, the club will have a "bigger presence in China than any other European club." Atlético will open these stores in the Wanda Malls, the shopping centers owned by Wang Jianlin. The businessman became the club's newest shareholder when he bought 20% of the club earlier this year. In addition to selling the team’s merchandise, the shops will "also be meeting points for all of Atlético's Chinese fans and places where the club can encounter their supporters." There will be screens where the players "will leave messages in Chinese for the eastern market." The club will "try to carry out a tour of the country so that Chinese supporters can see their idols up close" (AS, 2/10). MARCA reported Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín reviewed the club's current situation following its 4-0 win over Real Madrid on Saturday. Gil Marín said, "We have doubled our level of revenue during [Spain's] crisis, going from €75 million ($85M) to €150 million ($170M)." He added "that the club's predictions for the future are very positive." Gil Marín: "We are expecting to double club revenue in the next three years." Of the investment by Wanda, Gil Marín said, "With the entrance of the Wanda Group we received a definite boost that will facilitate the expansion of our brand" (MARCA, 2/9).
