MANCHESTER City are set to make a £15million bid to land Didier Drogba, it ermeged yesterday.
The Eastlands outfit want to exploit Drogba’s fall-out with Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari by landing the Ivory Coast hitman.
And while no bid has been made, Drogba and Chelsea are aware of City’s interest in taking him to Manchester.
Despite the fractured relationship between Scolari and Drogba, the Londoners are unlikely to listen to City’s advances, while the striker himself is understood to want to see out the rest of the season at Stamford Bridge and then consider his options.
Rebel Robinho has been ordered to make an immediate return to England after storming out of City’s Tenerife training camp. Although he has apologised to manager Mark Hughes in a lengthy telephone call, the Brazilian is still facing a record Premier League fine o f £320 000 for his disappearing act.
City fly back from their break tomorrow and Robinho has been told in no uncertain terms he must also be back in England to prepare for City’s game against Newcastle.
Although Robinho is said to be dismayed by City’s failure to sign his Brazil team-mate Kaka in what would have been a recordbreaking deal, that was not the reason for his disappearing act on Monday night.
Mirror Sport has learned Chelsea have stepped up their interest in him and the player is unsure of his future despite re-iterating his commitment to City.
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And while it was mooted Chelsea might be interested in a straight swap with Drogba to acquire the services of Robinho, Fifa rules preclude a player turning out for more than two clubs in a 12-month period unless they can cite “just sporting reason” for leaving their second club.
Robinho has played for Real Madrid and City.
City hope to sign Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz for around £19m after completing the signing of Nigel De Jong from Hamburg for £15m.
Hughes is making a £6m move for Newcastle keeper Shay Given and if unsuccessful, Hughes will fight Tottenham for Chelsea’s Carlo Cudicini, 35, for whom Spurs have offered £1m. —— The Mirror, UK.
