Former Chelsea flop Andriy Shevchenko could be set for a sensational return to the Premier League with Birmingham City reportedly keen to lure him to St Andrews.

Ambitious new Blues owner Carson Yeung, who completed his £80million takeover of the club last month, is keen to bring some big-name players to the West Midlands outfit to help woo fans in Asia.

The Hong Kong-based tycoon is trying to raise Birmingham's profile in China as he looks to develop lucrative merchandising opportunities by tapping into the country's growing love of the Premier League.

And with him ready to put his money where is mouth is by backing manager Alex McLeish with up to £40million in the January transfer window, reports have emerged that Blues could launch a shock move for Shevchenko.

The 33-year-old flopped in England at Stamford Bridge and only scored nine Premier League goals after joining Chelsea in 2006 for £30million from AC Milan.

However, his staggering 127 goals in just 204 Serie A appearances during a seven year stay with AC Milan highlights his undoubtedly quality, and he has started to reproduce that kind of form once again at first club Dynamo Kiev.

McLeish is believed to have targeted two strikers, two midfielders and a left-back in the New Year as he looks to bolster his squad in order to maintain the Blues' Premier League status for another season.

The capture of Shevchenko, were it to happen, would most certianly attract plenty of attention and make a statement as to the intended direction of the Blues under Yeung.