Shanghai sets its sights high

BEIJING - Shanghai Shenhua wants a big defender. It's turned to one of the biggest teams in the world in its quest to find one.

The Chinese Super League club is expected to launch negotiations with La Liga giant Barcelona as it looks to shore up its defense in advance of the season, Chinese media reported.

According to Sina.com, Shenhua investor Zhu Jun was scheduled to meet Barcelona president Sandro Rosell on Wednesday. The meeting was on the acquisition of a defender, though the club refused to disclose the player's name.