SHANGHAI — Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba remains under contract with Shanghai Shenhua and his transfer this week to Turkish club Galatasaray is a violation of those terms, the Chinese side said Wednesday. Drogba agreed to an 18-month contract with the Istanbul side Monday, in a deal which includes a $8 million transfer fee, a salary of 15,000 euros per match and a 4 million euros signing on fee. However, Shanghai Shenhua said the agreement had violated the club's contact with Drogba and they were ready to raise the issue with world soccer governing body FIFA. “The club is deeply shocked,” the Chinese Super League team said in a statement on its website. “Drogba is still a Shanghai Shenhua Football Club member as the contract between the two parties is still within its period of validity,” it added of the deal which saw Drogba sign a 2-1/2 year contract last July. “The Shanghai Shenhua Football Club is ready to gather evidence and submit the findings to FIFA in order to protect its interests.” The 34-year-old Ivorian, currently on African Nations Cup duty in South Africa, opted to play in China after leaving Chelsea following their Champions League triumph last May. Before signing for Galatasaray, Drogba had applied for permission to go out on loan during the Chinese off-season but FIFA refused his request. Last week, fellow Shenhua striker Nicolas Anelka joined Italian giant Juventus on a short-term loan deal. Liverpool signs Coutinho Liverpool has completed a deal to sign Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said Wednesday. The 20-year-old becomes Liverpool's second signing of the January window after Daniel Sturridge joined from Chelsea earlier this month. The transfer fee was undisclosed, but was reported by British media to be around $13.39 million. “I'm feeling very happy, it's a very important step in my career and I'm expecting to come here and play good football to give my contribution on the pitch,” the player said on the club website. “Liverpool is a great club with great players. We've always heard about Liverpool's history in Brazil. They are the club that have been interested in me and that have showed this interest so I know they believe in me and my football.” Coutinho has won one cap for Brazil and moved to Inter from Vasco da Gama in 2010. — Agencies
