Didier Drogba’s move to Galatasaray has been thrown into doubt after Shanghai Shenhua released a statement insisting that the Ivory Coast international is still contracted tothe club. Galatasaray on Monday announced the signing of Drogba on an 18-month contract, but the Chinese Super League club indicated it could challenge the transfer.
“The club is deeplyshocked,” read the statement from Shenhua’s official Web site. “Drogba is still a Shanghai Shenhua Football Clubmember as the contract between the two parties is still within its period of validity. The Shanghai Shenhua Football Club is ready to gather evidence and submit the findings to FIFA in order toprotect its interests.”
It’s still unclear what exactly is happening at Shanghai Shenhua. Drogba had signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Chinese club in June, but his reportedwages of $315,000 per week were causing the club financial problems. While away at the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast, Drogba sent a letter to Shenhua asking the club to release him from hiscontract. A few days later, it was announced that he had signed for Galatasaray while fellow Shenhua striker Nicolas Anelka was loaned to Juventus until June.