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

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

Yeung is prepared to pump in at least �20m when the transfer window opens to strengthen the club's squad.

And former Chelsea and AC Milan striker Shevchenko, 33, is a target as Birmingham want two new strikers.

Brum have already sounded out super-agent Pini Zahavi about bringing some galacticos to City.

And Chelsea misfit Shevchenko is an option after he moved back to Dynamo Kiev on a free this summer.

Yeung is trying to raise Birmingham's profile in China to develop lucrative merchandising opportunities by tapping into the country's huge population.

And he is desperate to sign some global names to help attract more players in future and give the club publicity.

Shevchenko flopped in England as he only scored nine Premier League goals after joining Chelsea in May 2006 for �30m from AC Milan.

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

Yeung's right-hand man Sammy Yu is working with manager Alex McLeish to finalise a short-list of transfer targets.

And City also want two new central midfielders and a left-back.