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Shanghai Shenhua owner Zhu Jun: Didier Drogba negotiations are at a deadlock
The Ivory Coast striker will see out the 2011-12 season with Chelsea before becoming a free agent when a host of clubs are expected to be interested in him
4 Feb 2012 07:18:00
By Ben Somerford
Panoramic
Shanghai Shenhua owner Zhu Jun has conceded negotiations with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba's representatives have hit a standstill.
The ambitious Chinese Super League, who signed Nicolas Anelka in December, have been in hot pursuit of the Ivory Coast forward who is currently at the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
Drogba committed to Chelsea for the remainder of the campaign but comes out of contract at the end of this season, meaning several clubs will be interested in his services.
Subsequently, Zhu Jun revealed on Weibo he is beginning to lose confidence Shanghai could lure Drogba to China.
“The negotiations are at a deadlock," Zhu Jun said. "It might let the whole people of China feel down.
"His agent told me 'if it comes to May, he would be a free player. During that time, there will be many and many good teams inviting to join. So we are not in a hurry'…"
It is understood MLS club Chicago Fire are interested in signing Drogba.
Meanwhile, in other Chinese transfer news, former Brazil international Fabio Rochemback has arrived in China for a medical with ambitious newly-promoted outfit Dalian Aerbin. Dalian were previously linked with Drogba and Italian striker Amauri.
The ambitious Chinese Super League, who signed Nicolas Anelka in December, have been in hot pursuit of the Ivory Coast forward who is currently at the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
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Drogba committed to Chelsea for the remainder of the campaign but comes out of contract at the end of this season, meaning several clubs will be interested in his services.
Subsequently, Zhu Jun revealed on Weibo he is beginning to lose confidence Shanghai could lure Drogba to China.
“The negotiations are at a deadlock," Zhu Jun said. "It might let the whole people of China feel down.
"His agent told me 'if it comes to May, he would be a free player. During that time, there will be many and many good teams inviting to join. So we are not in a hurry'…"
It is understood MLS club Chicago Fire are interested in signing Drogba.
Meanwhile, in other Chinese transfer news, former Brazil international Fabio Rochemback has arrived in China for a medical with ambitious newly-promoted outfit Dalian Aerbin. Dalian were previously linked with Drogba and Italian striker Amauri.
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 4-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
20:06 BST
So, that game gave a few players a chance to impress for England. Who did/didn't? Will Welbeck start against France? Or Carroll? Or Defoe?!
19:59 BST
Unfortunately for Northern Ireland, they are trailing the Netherlands 4-0 at half-time. Looks like that one's all sewn up then.
19:54 BST
We're still getting plenty of Hazard chat on Twitter. A few are now saying that he's not worth the hype, others saying he was brilliant(!?) and others (which I agree with), saying he created much of his own hype. What do you think? Get involved!
19:46 BST
Joe Hart has also been giving his thoughts after the Belgium game: "It was a really tough game, a good run out. I thought we played well, [but] we were a little bit bitty at times.
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
19:38 BST
Here's Roy Hodgson's reaction to the result and some injury chat: "I'm very pleased, it's been a hard week and we've used a lot of players. There was a lot of disruption in the second-half with substitutions – some forced upon us, some we wanted to do. But it's still a very good end to the week playing against a good Belgian team here. Arguably even stronger than the Norwegian team we played last week and I've got to be more than happy that we've come out with another victory."
"[Gary] Cahill I suppose is slightly more of a concern for me because it is a jaw injury. We're desperately hoping the CT scan doesn't show any fracture and it's just going to be a bruising situation, which will be bad enough, but won't stop him taking part in the tournament. As far as John's [Terry] concerned he felt his hamstring a little bit. Again it wasn't a major thing when he came off but we still need to scan it just to be 100 per cent sure."
Suffice to say, if Cahill has broken his jaw, he won't play any part in the tournament.
"[Gary] Cahill I suppose is slightly more of a concern for me because it is a jaw injury. We're desperately hoping the CT scan doesn't show any fracture and it's just going to be a bruising situation, which will be bad enough, but won't stop him taking part in the tournament. As far as John's [Terry] concerned he felt his hamstring a little bit. Again it wasn't a major thing when he came off but we still need to scan it just to be 100 per cent sure."
Suffice to say, if Cahill has broken his jaw, he won't play any part in the tournament.
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