Stoke City's Matthew Upson is being linked with a move to Shanghai Shenhua, with the Chinese club confirming their interest in the defender.

GettyImagesMatthew Upson joined Stoke on a free transfer last summer

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Shenhua landed Nicolas Anelka from Chelsea in the January transfer window and have since been linked with a move for Blues forward Didier Drogba.

The Chinese Super League have now targeted Upson, who joined Stoke on a free transfer from West Ham last summer.

Upson, 32, has since made just five Premier League starts for the club, and talks are claimed to be ongoing between Shenhua and the centre-back.

Asked about Drogba and Upson joining, Shenhua official Ma Yue said: "There is nothing confirmed. We are still in the midst of discussions."