Shenhua deny Owen move

Ambitious Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua have rejected rumours they are lining up Michael Owen as their next marquee signing.

Chinese club insist they have not made bid for striker

Ambitious Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua have rejected rumours they are lining up Michael Owen as their next marquee signing. According to various media outlets, the former England international is seen by Shenhua's player-coach Nicolas Anelka as a prime transfer target this summer along with Chelsea's Didier Drogba. However as reported by Shanghai Daily, Shenhua chairman Zhu Jun has denied the claims despite the 32-year-old looking set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season. Zhu commented on his microblog that he is surprised by the rumours and that the club have not considered Owen as a future signing. He further added that there will not be much activity in the transfer market this summer, but he has not ruled out making a move for another high-profile player such as Drogba. Former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Owen enjoys a huge following in China and would be a major coup for any Chinese side looking for a proven striker who could fill stadiums.