Marseille turn down £18m Blues bid for deadly Drogba

MARSEILLE are reported to have turned down an £18million bid from Chelsea for striker Didier Drogba.

The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international, whose contract at the Stade Velodrome runs until 2008, is known to be a target of new Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho although it was believed a deal would depend on the future of Hernan Crespo.

Crespo has yet to decide whether he wants to remain at Stamford Bridge - a loan move to AC Milan has been mooted, leaving Mourinho waiting to see if he needs to get a replacement.