Chelsea hope to cash in on Didier Drogba at the end of this season. The Times says the Ivory Coast striker is a target for Inter Milan and Marseilles, and Chelsea are willing to sell if they are able to recoup the £24 million they paid for him five years ago.

Drogba's contract expires at the end of next season and he has been seeking an extension for some time, but the club are unwilling to begin negotiations until the summer.

Even then Drogba, 30, may be disappointed, because senior figures at the club have been disenchanted by his performances in the past 12 months and there are lingering concerns over the state of his knees after several operations.