|
|
Shanghai Shenhua targets Chelsea's Didier Drogba after sealing signature of teammate Nicolas Anelka
The French striker's move to China was recently confirmed, and now the club are hoping to make a deal with the Blues for the Ivorian forward
Dec 12, 2011 11:49:00 AM
By Joe Doyle
Getty Images
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is the subject of interest from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, who recently confirmed it will be signing his current teammate Nicolas Anelka in January.
Anelka is rumored to be receiving up to 9.425 million euros per year to play in China and the club's director Zhou Jun has confirmed that it has also set their sights on Drogba.
Zhou said Shenhua, who finished the 2011 Chinese season in 11th place, is ready to continue spending if the Ivorian striker is willing to swap west London for the Far East.
"Drogba is an excellent player," Zhou told Reuters. "We got in touch with him two weeks ago. From our club's perspective, we have this to say: If he is willing to come, we will definitely welcome him. It's like with the opening up of China. We needed to bring in the good stuff from foreign countries for us to learn from."
Drogba, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer, has also been linked with a move to the United States.
However, Zhou hopes that the high profile signing of Anelka will encourage other marquee players to move to China to aid the growth of football in the country.
"People are aware of Anelka's Chelsea yearly salary which is around 5 million pounds. So when he comes to China it definitely won't be below this figure."
Last week, newly promoted Chinese club Dalian Aerbin admitted it was also interested in Drogba.
Dalian's general manager was quoted in the Chinese press as saying: "Money is not the problem. Drogba is still one of the most popular soccer stars in the world, though he will be 34-years-old.
"We have talked a lot with Drogba's agent and promised to provide him with a three-year contract.''
Meanwhile, new Shenhua signing Anelka is likely to be joined by Jean Tigana who will take over as coach of the club.
"Tigana, from the looks of it currently, is not a big problem," said Zhou. "When he was last in Shanghai he said the next time he is seen there it would be to coach Shenhua Football Club. So if you see Tigana at Shanghai International Airport you know he's our coach."
Anelka is rumored to be receiving up to 9.425 million euros per year to play in China and the club's director Zhou Jun has confirmed that it has also set their sights on Drogba.
Zhou said Shenhua, who finished the 2011 Chinese season in 11th place, is ready to continue spending if the Ivorian striker is willing to swap west London for the Far East.
"Drogba is an excellent player," Zhou told Reuters. "We got in touch with him two weeks ago. From our club's perspective, we have this to say: If he is willing to come, we will definitely welcome him. It's like with the opening up of China. We needed to bring in the good stuff from foreign countries for us to learn from."
Drogba, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer, has also been linked with a move to the United States.
However, Zhou hopes that the high profile signing of Anelka will encourage other marquee players to move to China to aid the growth of football in the country.
"People are aware of Anelka's Chelsea yearly salary which is around 5 million pounds. So when he comes to China it definitely won't be below this figure."
Last week, newly promoted Chinese club Dalian Aerbin admitted it was also interested in Drogba.
Dalian's general manager was quoted in the Chinese press as saying: "Money is not the problem. Drogba is still one of the most popular soccer stars in the world, though he will be 34-years-old.
"We have talked a lot with Drogba's agent and promised to provide him with a three-year contract.''
Meanwhile, new Shenhua signing Anelka is likely to be joined by Jean Tigana who will take over as coach of the club.
"Tigana, from the looks of it currently, is not a big problem," said Zhou. "When he was last in Shanghai he said the next time he is seen there it would be to coach Shenhua Football Club. So if you see Tigana at Shanghai International Airport you know he's our coach."
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.