According to various reports in the British press, Chelsea are ready to let Didier Drogba leave the club following his rant after the 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
The Ivory Coast international was seen angrily confronting referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle, before turning to television cameras and calling the Norwegian a “f*****g disgrace”.
Apparently, Blues owner Roman Abramovich was left feeling embarrassed by the striker’s actions and has therefore decided the Ivorian can leave Stamford Bridge.
The 31-year-old’s current contract, said to be worth around £91,000-a-week, is set to expire at the end of next season.
It was thought that the west London outfit were planning to extend his time in the English capital, but it now seems they may off-load him as early as this summer.
It is claimed that Chelsea wanted to sell him in 2008 following his red card in the Champions League final defeat to Manchester United, but a transfer to Milan fell through because of injury.
The former African Player of the Year has been linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid recently, but a move to the Bernabeu might depend on who wins the presidential elections at the Bernabeu this summer.
A return to former club Marseille has also been mooted in the past.
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com