The Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua have opened a dispute with the Turkish club Galatasaray over the transfer of the former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. The 34-year-old Ivory Coast international signed for the Turkish club in the January transfer window, but the Chinese club have said that the player is still under contract with them. The former Chelsea striker signed an 18 month deal when he joined the club in the summer. However, the club has been facing several boardroom issues over the last few months, which have resulted in the departure of their high-profile signings they made in the summer.
Nicolas Anelka has moved on to join the Italian club Juventus, while Didier Drogba has followed him subsequently. However, Shanghai Shenhua has stated that the player is still in contract with them and they are deeply hurt by this incident. Galatasaray recently announced that the striker will be joining the Turkish club after the conclusion of the 2013 African cup of nations. Drogba also said through his agent that he is extremely happy to join a club of the stature like Galatasaray, while he is keen to playing once again in the Champions league. The striker managed to help Chelsea win this tournament for the first time in their history by scoring the winning penalty in May.
“The club is deeply shocked. Drogba is still a player of Shanghai Shenhua Football Club. The contract between the two parties is still within the period of validity,” said the Chinese club. “The opportunity to play for this great club was an offer that I could not turn down. I am looking forward to playing in the Champions League again, against the best clubs in Europe,” said Drogba through his agent. His former club Chelsea also tried to bring back the 34-year-old, but were unsuccessful.