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SHANGHAI: Shanghai Shenhua's talks with Didier Drogba arecontinuing "just as planned", a report said Wednesday, raisingexpectations the striker will move to China after announcing hisdeparture from Chelsea. Shenhua, bankrolled by colourful video-game mogul Zhu Jun, signedDrogba's ex-Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka in December and theyhave been in talks with the Ivory Coast international since atleast January. "As of now, Shenhua's negotiations with Drogba are continuing justas planned," Zhu told the Oriental Sports Daily. Drogba, 34, revealed he was quitting English Premiership giantsChelsea on Tuesday, just days after his match-winning performancein the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Drogba scored a late equaliser as well as the decisive spot-kick inthe penalty shoot-out. Since joining Chelsea from Marseille in2004, he has tallied 157 goals in 341 appearances, helping the clubwin 10 trophies. "It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am veryproud of what we have achieved, but the time is right for a newchallenge for me," he told Chelsea's website. Drogba would be the latest star signing for China's increasinglybig-spending Super League, after World Cup-winning coach MarcelloLippi joined Guangzhou Evergrande last week. But Anelka's move has not been without its problems. Last week hethreatened to quit Shenhua over the club's plans to hire a new headcoach, according to local media. "If there is still no one to support me and (they) continue to playlittle tricks behind my back... then I will quickly decide whetheror not to retire," the Frenchman told the Xinmin Evening News. Club owner Zhu has written to Anelka's agent and lawyer asking foran explanation, the Oriental Sports Daily said. In April, Shenhua sacked French coach Jean Tigana, then the highestprofile manager to work in China, after just a handful of games andreplaced him with a makeshift set-up including Anelka asplayer-coach. They are now tipped to be targeting Sergio Daniel Batista, who ledArgentina to Olympic gold in 2008, as their new manager. Drogba is one of the Premier League's most successful strikers andhe departs Chelsea as their fourth all-time highest scorer. His 34goals in European competition is a club record by 10 goals. During his eight seasons at Stamford Bridge he won three PremierLeague titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and the ChampionsLeague title. - AFP/ir. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as iPad Capacitive Touch Screen , iPhone Flex Cable Manufacturer, and more. For more , please visit iPhone Touch Screen Digitizer today!
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