Drogba swayed by Chelsea big bucks

DIDIER DROGBA revealed last night how Chelsea’s increased financial and sporting clout had convinced him to end his Marseille love affair.

The striker said he initially wanted to turn down the chance of a move to the Premiership giants, before realising the enormity of the opportunity.

The 26-year-old could complete his transfer from Marseille today, with the sticking point of a fee now having been agreed by the clubs, but he was far from convinced that Chelsea were the club for him a fortnight ago.

“Everything started on July 2 when Marseille received the first offer from Chelsea,” said Drogba, who is set to cost the London club somewhere in the region of stg£24m.

“I wanted to stay at Marseille because I have experienced fantastic times there, but financially and in a sporting sense I could not refuse Chelsea’s offer. I made my decision on my own, no one influenced me.”

The Ivory Coast international, who tormented Liverpool and Newcastle in last season’s UEFA Cup, said: “I also had offers from Italian clubs but going to Chelsea is an interesting challenge in my career. I am glad to join them and I hope I will live up to their expectations.”

The offer from Chelsea was one which both Drogba and Marseille found irresistible. For the player, it will make him financially secure for life, while Marseille’s more pressing money worries will become yesterday’s concern.

Neither club has given exact details of the fee, but it is likely to be somewhere near midway between Chelsea’s original stg£18m offer and Marseille’s stg£27m valuation.

Drogba said it would be a wrench to quit the club he joined from Guingamp for stg£3.3m last year, but he was quick to turn his focus to the challenge which lies ahead in London.

“It is very hard for me to leave Marseille, I feel very sad,” he said.

“This is a club I will always love and maybe I will come back one day as a player. But first of all I must boost my career even though I will never forget that I was transferred to Chelsea thanks to Marseille.

“What convinced me to join Chelsea is that they really showed that they wanted me, and that counts a lot. I will give my best for them now.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is plotting further raids on the transfer market which could result in two new arrivals at Highbury.

Dutch striker Robin van Persie and Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia have already been recruited and it was thought they might be the only fresh additions to the squad.

But Wenger still has some cash in the bank to strengthen as the Gunners prepare for the defence of their Barclays Premiership crown.

Cover for centre-back duo Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure will top Wenger’s wish-list but the Arsenal boss is refusing to reveal the position of his transfer targets.

“There is still a possibility someone will come in soon. One or a maximum of two. I don’t know the position yet, but there is a big possibility that one player will join us before the season starts.”

Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane insists he is not the driving force behind Real Madrid’s bid to sign Patrick Vieira but admits he has been consulted on the possibility of his France team-mate moving to the Bernabeu.

Zidane has played down his influence at Real Madrid even though he confirmed Perez had asked his opinion on Vieira. “I just said to him, like everybody else, that Vieira is one of the best at this position. But it is not me who makes the decisions on the team.”

Ireland’s Jason McAteer has dropped down a division to join third division Tranmere Rovers after leaving Sunderland. The 33-year-old wing back has signed a two-year contract.

McAteer was out of contract at Sunderland, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season.