Nicolas Anelka will have no shortage of offers upon his departure from Shanghai Shenhua with both West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers having declared their interest

The Frenchman is set to leave the Chinese Super League following a disappointing opening 12 months in Asia with talks continuing with the Shenhua hierarchy this week.

Should Anelka, who became the first direct import from the Premier League into Chinese football, move back to Europe as a free agent then former boss Sam Allardyce, who he played under at Bolton Wanderers and Harry Redknapp would both be keen on recruiting the striker.

Nicolas Anelka
Anelka looks set to return to English football.

Hammers assistant manager Neil McDonald said: "We are looking for good players and Anelka is a good player. He had a fantastic relationship with Sam."

Anelka was signed by Allardyce in 2006 and played at Bolton for one season prior to Sammy Lee's appointment as manager in April 2007, scoring 23 goals in 61 games across two campaigns.

West Ham's strikers have struggled for goals this term, with Andy Carroll, Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te have each netted once, while Modibo Maiga is the top scoring striker with two.

Redknapp, who joined QPR as manager last month, is also interested in recruiting the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea forward.

Rangers, who are currently in the Premier League bottom three after going 16 games at the start of the season without a win prior to the victory over Fulham last weekend, are likely to have to rely on loan signings and cut-price deals during the January window with Redknapp having admitted substantial funds will not be available.

But with Anelka set to be available on a free, Redknapp has revealed his intention to bring the Champions League winner to Loftus Road.

"He is a player that is of interest to anybody," said Redknapp. "I think he is finishing in China so he is available.

"It is what you can do, whether you can afford these players, what they are looking for, whether they are reasonable, whether you can deal with them and most importantly whether you think they can do the job you want.

"He is a top player so he is a player we would be interested in, but whether we could afford to get anywhere near I him I am not sure.

"It depends, as I say, just how expensive the whole package comes to. If it is within reason, he is a player that could certainly improve your team. There is no doubt about it."

China