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Chelsea set to re-sign Didier Drogba on one-year contract Chelsea set to re-sign Didier Drogba on one-year contract
(35 minutes later)
Didier Drogba’s return to Chelsea on a one-year-contract could be confirmed this week, according to reports in France, with the Ivory Coast striker then set to be offered a coaching role at Stamford Bridge when he retires from playing.Didier Drogba’s return to Chelsea on a one-year-contract could be confirmed this week, according to reports in France, with the Ivory Coast striker then set to be offered a coaching role at Stamford Bridge when he retires from playing.
Drogba is currently a free agent after his 18-month contract at Galatasaray came to an end at the conclusion of the Turkish Super Lig season.Drogba is currently a free agent after his 18-month contract at Galatasaray came to an end at the conclusion of the Turkish Super Lig season.
Although Chelsea’s attacking options have been bolstered by the signing of Diego Costa from Atlético Madrid and the return of Romelu Lukaku from a season on loan at Everton, despite the Belgian’s future remaining uncertain, José Mourinho enjoys a strong relationship with Drogba and the sale of Demba Ba to Besiktas last week for £4.7 million has freed up a place in the squad. Chelsea’s attacking options have been bolstered by the signing of Diego Costa from Atlético Madrid and the return of Romelu Lukaku from a season on loan at Everton, despite the Belgian’s future remaining uncertain, but José Mourinho enjoys a strong relationship with Drogba having signed the 36-year-old from Marseille in 2004 during his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge and, according to L’Equipe, he is ready to bring him back to the club for a second spell, with the sale of Demba Ba to Besiktas last week for £4.7m having freed up a place in the squad.
Drogba joined Chelsea 10 years ago on Sunday and won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League, scoring 157 goals during his eight-year spell in south-west London, culminating in scoring the equaliser and the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final. He had a brief spell in Shanghai before signing an 18-month contract with Galatasaray in January 2013. Juventus are among other clubs to have registered their interest in signing the 36-year-old. Drogba won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League with Chelsea, scoring 157 goals during his eight-year spell in south-west London, culminating in scoring the equaliser and the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final. He had a brief spell in Shanghai before signing for Galatasaray in January 2013. Juventus are among other clubs to have registered their interest in the player.
Liverpool are close to finalising a deal for the Croatia defender Dejan Lovren, who would become the third Southampton player to join Brendan Rodgers’ team this summer, following the transfers of England internationals Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.
The new Southampton manager, Ronald Koeman, does not want the centre-half to depart and said he will only go for a healthy price. Liverpool’s offer is believed to be around £16m. Koeman has also viewed Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar as a direct replacement after the Aston Villa player impressed during Holland’s run to the World Cup semi-finals.
“I don’t want to lose him but, if he leaves he will only go for a top price,” Koeman said. “Ron would definitely be an option but I think he won’t be cheap right now. We just have to wait and see how it develops.”
The France striker Loïc Rémy is due to fly to Boston on Monday, where Liverpool are currently on a pre-season tour, to undergo a medical before his proposed £8m move from QPR, while Divock Origi has told the club he wants to join move to Anfield and could also travel to Boston for a medical this week. The 18-year-old impressed for Belgium at the World Cup, scoring a late winning goal against Russia.