Didier Drogba could make a return to his former club Marseille as new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas prepares to bring some new names to Stamford Bridge.
The 33-year-old forward, who joined The Blues from the French side for £24 million in 2004, still has a year left on his contract but has been linked to several other clubs, including Spurs and Galatasaray.
Marseille president Vincent Labrune said that he could afford Drogba's transfer fee but would have to sell off other players to meet his weekly salary.
“The question is whether in terms of salary, I do not mean the transfer, Marseille have the means for four years to pay Didier Drogba," said Labrune. "I answer ’yes’. But we cannot afford 11 Didier Drogbas.
"So is it possible? Yes, but in the case of departures."
Among those being lined up by Villas-Boas are Inter's Samuel Eto'o and the much-sought Neymar.