Rest of the World
Didier Drogba open to Marseille return
In a shock turn of events, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has suggested that he is open to a return to France with former side Marseille. The Ivorian's contract with MLS outfit Montreal Impact came to an end recently and he is now a free-agent. However, Drogba has insisted that he would not return if he has to take a huge wage cut.
He said: "There is an option to return to France, but I will no say more. I hope to be able to hold my promise one day [to return to Marseille]. It can be done. You just have to take the time to sit down and talk.
"My comeback at Marseille is the eternal question for more than 12 years now. Every time I respond, and people say I'm just talking. But you let a player go, and financially he is making a good living since then, and now you want him to come back and divide his salary in two.
"And after that, you say he doesn't like Marseille. Who works to earn less? No one. I would like to come back as a player, but I can't force the board to bring me back."
Lyon offered €70m for Alexandre Lacazette
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that the club received a €70m bid for French striker Alexandre Lacazette, which has been rejected as the club do not intend to sell their prized asset.
Speaking in an interview with RMC, Aulas said: "It is true that the offers we have received for Alexandre range from €40m - from West Ham last year - to €70m right now. Obviously, Alexandre is indispensable for us. Just like Nabil [Fekir] and Corentin [Tolisso] and all the other players for whom we have received offers. We have six or seven offers on the table for our best players.”