Chelsea's Didier Drogba in action during their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London, Britain, 12 December 2011.

The ink is barely dry on Nicolas Anelka's groundbreaking contract with Shanghai Shenhua but already the CSL club is working to pull off another major transfer coup by signing his Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba.

Shanghai director Zhou Jun confirmed yesterday that his club had already spoken to Drogba and was ready to continue its lavish spending if the Ivory Coast international was prepared to switch west London for the Far East.

Zhou, who also expects former Bordeaux coach Jean Tigana to arrive as manager next month, said bringing in foreign talent was essential for the growth of Chinese soccer, which has been blighted by scandals and corruption in recent years.

"Drogba is an excellent player. We got in touch with him two weeks ago," Zhou said near Shanghai's Pudong training ground. "From our club's perspective, we have this to say - if he is willing to come, we will definitely welcome him."