16th May, 2012
Barcelona want to offer Drogba a two-year deal worth up to £5m a season
Report in Sun of London today says Spanish giants are eyeing up a move to nab Didier Drogba on a free transfer from Chelsea.
The Spanish giants want to offer Drogba, 34, a two-year deal worth up to £5million a season to quit Chelsea and snub a move to China, Milan or the USA.
Chelsea have also offered the striker a new two-year deal with owner Roman Abramovich pulling out all the stops to keep him.
But Drogba is out of contract and could quit the Blues after the Champions League final on Saturday.
Though a move to Shanghai FC could be far more lucrative, the lure of playing alongside Lionel Messi and Co could prove irresistible for the Ivory Coast star.
A Barcelona source confirmed: “What the team needs is an attacking player who has the presence and strength to trouble defenders.
“Drogba has that profile and is one of the players the club are looking at.”
Drogba has spent eight seasons at Stamford Bridge but new boss Tito Vilanova, who will succeed Pep Guardiola after the Copa Del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao next week, wants a world-class striker as cover for David Villa.
The Spain superstar missed most of this season with a broken foot but will be fit for next season.
Italian giants AC Milan, who have wanted Drogba for years, were also in touch to declare their interest just after Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.