Drogba’s absence from tour fuels transfer speculation

BARCELONA, Spain: Didier Drogba’s absence from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia due to a knee injury has fuelled speculation in the Spanish media that the Ivory Coast striker is moving to Barcelona.

Catalan sports daily Sport reported Monday that the 30-year-old is among the three strikers which Barcelona is interested in signing, with the club said to be ready to make their interest concrete with a firm offer soon.

Tottenham’s Dimitri Berbatov of Bulgaria and Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo are the other two players on the club’s hit-lit although Droba, who scored eight times in the Premier League last season, is their top priority, it said.

Before signing Drogba though Barcelona must first sell their Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o who has been deemed surplus by the Catalan coach’s new coach Pep Guardiola, daily ADN reported.

Eto’o claimed Monday he has received offers from Chelsea, Tottenham and Inter Milan.

“I have several offers from big European clubs. Which ones? Chelsea, Tottenham and Inter,” the Cameroon international told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

Earlier Monday Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari dismissed the renewed speculation that Drogba was headed for the exit as he arrived with the squad in China.

“Didier’s future with Chelsea is normal because he has a contract with us. I think he’s very happy with Chelsea. I hope when we come back he’ll be in good condition,” he told reporters, adding Drogba was “200 percent” in his plans.

Scolari on Monday expressed relief that Frank Lampard had joined their Asian tour as speculation swirls over his future.

Scolari, who will take charge of Chelsea for the first time this week in a game against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical, appeared hopeful about retaining Lampard despite persistent offers from Inter Milan.

The Brazilian said he had discussed tactics but not contracts with the 30-year-old midfielder, who is being courted by Inter’s ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

“He is training every day in the morning and afternoon very well. The most important thing is that he is here with us,” Scolari said.

“I have spoken to him every day, talking about Chelsea, about what’s the best way for Chelsea to play and when training with the other players what’s the best position for him.

“I have spoken about how to win games with Chelsea and no more.”

Captain John Terry also made a fresh appeal for Lampard to stay at Stamford Bridge as the team enters a new era under Scolari.

“I’m very good friends with Frank and we have spoken about it, but the situation is ongoing with the club and Frank,” Terry said.

“The players and Frank all want him to stay, but it’s down to Frank and the club to sort it out. We are here to focus on the football, but hopefully while he’s here the club can sort it out.”

Players and fans have united in their appeals to the popular vice captain, who has been with Chelsea since 2001. The club finished runners-up in both the Champions League and the Premiership last season.