Shanghai dispute Drogba move to Galatasaray

Didier Drogba is still under contract at Shanghai Shenhua and had no right to sign with Galatasaray this week, the Chinese club have claimed.

The Istanbul giants confirmed the signing of the Ivorian icon on an 18-month deal on Monday, with the estimated transfer fee set at six million euros and a signing-on fee of four million euros going straight to the veteran striker.

However, Shanghai, for whom the veteran striker signed after leaving Chelsea in the summer, have claimed that they will report the Turkish champions to FIFA over the transfer.

In a statement issued on their official website Shenhua say they are ‘shocked’ with the deal and it has ‘violated’ Drogba’s two-and-a-half year contract.

“The club are deeply shocked,” the statement read.

“Drogba is still a Shanghai Shenhua member as the contract between the two parties is still within its period of validity,” it added.

“Shanghai Shenhua are ready to gather evidence and submit the findings to FIFA in order to protect its interests.”

Drogba is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with his national side, who eased into the quarter-final stage of the tournament with two wins in their first two group matches.

He has scored eight goals in 11 appearances for Shanghai.

Galatasary are yet to respond to the Shanghai’s statement.