A BRUM DEAL FOR SHEVA; EXCLUSIVE: SHEVA ON THE MENU.

Byline: JAMES NURSEY

AMBITIOUS Birmingham owner Carson Yeung wants to hand Chelsea flop Andriy Shevchenko a shock Premier League return.

Hong Kong tycoon Yeung intends to bring big-name players to St Andrews in January to help woo fans in Asia after his pounds 80million takeover.

Yeung will pump in at least pounds 20m when the transfer window opens. Former Chelsea and AC Milan striker Sheva, 33, is a target as Birmingham want two new strikers. The club have already sounded out super agent Pini Zahavi about bringing in some galacticos. And Chelsea misfit Sheva is an option after he moved back to Dynamo Kiev on a free this summer.

Yeung wa n t s to ra i se Birmingham's profile in China to develop lucrative merchandising opportunities, tapping into the country's huge population.

He is desperate to sign some global names to help attract more high-quality players and give the club publicity.

Shevchenko flopped in England, scoring just nine Premier League goals after joining Chelsea from AC Milan in May 2006 for pounds 30m.

But Yeung is willing to break Birmingham's wage structure to sign the veteran hitman on a lucrative contract.

CAPTION(S):

HE'S HANDY Shevchenko could be snapped up by Blues