Michael Owen could be set for a shock big money move to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Following his move from Newcastle in 2009, Owen has made just 52 appearances for United and various reports claimed the 34-year-old would retire to focus on his stable of racehorses.

However, according to The Sun, Shanghai Shenhua are eager to boost their profile by landing a big-name player and the former England striker is at the top of their list.

Owen remains a highly marketable player in the Far East and Shanghai will be willing to offer a meg-money contract to tempt him to link up with his former Liverpool teammate Nicolas Anelka.

Former France and Chelsea striker Anelka moved to Shanghai in January after being deemed surplus to requirements by Andre Villas-Boas while the Portuguese was in charge at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.

Anelka has recently stepped into a role of player-coach following the sacking of Jean Tigana as Shanghai boss at the end of April, and is charged along with the rest of the coaching team with turning around the club’s season.

 

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