Arsene Wenger denies move for former Chelsea star

The Telegraph is reporting this morning that Arsenal will not make a move for former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

The Ivory Coast international faces an uncertain future at Shanghai Shenhua in China and it was reported that the Gunners could offer him an escape route.

However, Wenger – who has done plenty of transfer business this summer – has played down reports that Drogba is even available, let alone whether Arsenal will try to sign him.

The Frenchman said: “At the moment no. In my opinion he is not free. He has just left England.”

“You hear he might go to Real Madrid – but then he says ‘I am staying in China’. Is it just because he wants to be paid off? I don’t know.”

The Gunners boss certainly doesn’t sound too interested and it would be very unlike him to sign a player of Drogba’s age, especially with the significant wage demands.

It is also being suggested that Drogba wouldn’t be interested in a move to Chelsea’s London rivals anyway, so this could be a non-starter.

As Wenger mentions though, Real Madrid are another possible destination for Drogba and it is well known that Jose Mourinho is a massive fan.

A lot has to happen before he can make a move though. Drogba needs to sort out his contract in China and if things don’t work out, needs to negotiate his release.

Then, as a free agent, the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and who knows, Arsenal, can make their move.