Chelsea have finally confirmed the status of their veteran French bomber, Nicolas Anelka, after revealing at the club’s official site that they have agreed in selling the striker to Chinese outfit, Shanghai Shenhua.
Despite confirming Anelka’s departure in the upcoming January transfer window, the Blues apparently didn’t revealed any more financial details which both clubs being agreed upon, although rumors claimed that Shanghai is offering wages around 175,000 a week for Anelka.
Chelsea Football Club and Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua have agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Nicolas Anelka in the January transfer window,” read an official statement on Chelsea’s official site.
Anelka’s departure isn’t a surprising thing especially since the striker himself already handed in a transfer request to the club sometime around last week. Considering the fact that Andre Villas-Boas isn’t really giving much playing time for the Frenchman, the Blues obviously didn’t have any problem in releasing the player and from several interests, Shanghai were the lucky bidders.
The ex-Bolton Wanderers striker’s departure to China may somewhat surprised some football fans as there were still several European clubs who are interested in signing the 32-years-old forward. However, it seems that the high wages offer that Shanghai Shenhua provide is more than enough to persuade Anelka, who could be united with a fellow Frenchman, Jean Tigana, who is being noted as the Chinese club’s new tactician.
Moreover, next summer, there’s also a chance that Anelka might be finding another familiar face in China as Shanghai are also interested in prizing up Didier Drogba from Chelsea by the time the Ivory Coast international’s contract ends in 2012. The Chinese club’s director, Zhou Jun, confirmed his side’s interest in Drogba and should the former Marseille striker is interested in teaming up with Anelka again, than Shanghai will sign the Ivory Coast star.
Drogba is an excellent player. 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,” Zhou said to Reuters.
photo credit: americanistadechiapas
