Chicago Fire tight-lipped on Didier Drogba link

Major League Soccer is aiming to bring another big name into the league as they have offered Didier Drogba a contract, according to ESPN FC.

According to the report, the Fire – among several other MLS clubs pursuing the striker – were in line to proffer an 18-month, $2.5 million contract for the Ivorian’s services, with an “unknown Qatari club” in the mix as well.

A report in the Daily Mail earlier this week linked the Fire with Drogba but there wasn’t much to indicate that the pursuit was close to reality.

Drogba is a free agent after leaving Stamford Bridge on the back of Chelsea’s Premier League-winning campaign last season, and the former Ivory Coast worldwide is now reportedly in discussions with the Fire.

Drogba came off the bench for 20 of those though, with Diego Costa being manager Jose Mourinho’s preferred choice up top.

Drogba had played for Chelsea from 2004 until 2012, before re-joining the team in 2014 on a one-year contract.

Drogba, 37, started eight games for Chelsea during the 2014-15 Premier League season and scored four goals in league play. He spent just seven months in China, later signing with Turkish club Galatasaray.

At worldwide level, Drogba is the Ivory Coast’s all-time leading scorer with 65 goals, and his 104 appearances rank third behind Kolo Toure’s 108 and Didier Zokora’s 123.