Drogba happy to sign new Chelsea deal, agent claims

*FOOTBALL

There was confusion yesterday over Didier Drogba after an agent who works for the Chelsea striker, Thierno Seydi, told France Football magazine that the Ivorian would sign a new contract at Chelsea if he failed to find another club in the next 10 days.

That was met with astonishment by Chelsea. They have not received a single offer for Drogba, despite his stated desire to leave, while there has been no new contract offer for the 30-year-old who has two years left on his present deal. Neither are Chelsea contemplating offering Drogba a new deal.

Last night it appeared that Seydi was backtracking on his statements, apparently claiming he had not spoken to the magazine, which last autumn had carried Drogba's first complaints about wanting to leave Chelsea, but that was met with some scepticism. New manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has stated he wants to keep the player but if a suitable offer was made - it would have to be around 25m - Chelsea are understood to be prepared to sell.

Chelsea are also set to sell Tal Ben Haim to Manchester City for 5m early next week, meanwhile, but Claude Makelele has informed the club that he has turned down the chance to join Paris St-Germain and wants to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Just 24 hours after Wayne Bridge gave Chelsea a boost by signing a new four-year deal, Makelele has, after returning from a holiday in the United States, been reassured by Scolari that he figures in his plans.

The 35-year-old midfielder - who has just one year left on his contract at Chelsea - has been mulling over a tempting two-year offer from PSG which, although it amounted to less than his current salary, included the option of a further season. But Makelele, who is settled in England and has two children at school here, always intended to speak to Scolari before making a final decision.

Someone who doesn't feature for the Brazilian, however, is Ben Haim. Although the Israeli defender is still scheduled to fly out with the rest of the squad for the club's pre-season tour to China, Malaysia and Russia, which starts this weekend, he may not actually end up on the plane as he is close to signing for City.

The 26-year-old joined Chelsea from Bolton on a free transfer - signing a four-year deal - last season but has failed to make an impression, falling behind Alex in the pecking order. City, who have been holding talks about signing another high-earner, West Ham's Lucas Neill, are prepared to match Ben Haim's 60,000-a-week wages.

The future of two other Chelsea players remains in the balance. Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho, on his first day of pre-season training, reiterated his desire to sign Frank Lampard, saying he had an "unforgettable relationship" with the midfielder. Even so Inter are yet to increase their bid of 8m, having indicated they will offer 10m, while Lampard himself is mulling over his tactics as he attempts to engineer a move or draw from Chelsea the five-year contract he wants. Chelsea are adamant they will not increase their offer and have also stated they will not enter into negotiations with the Italians. Mourinho made a point yesterday of saying the transfer window closes on 31 August - which may mean this saga rumbles on.

Yesterday the club unveiled their new right-back, Jose Bosingwa, who signed from Porto for 16.2m in the final days of Avram Grant's regime at Chelsea. Tellingly the Portuguese international admitted yesterday that he had not met Grant at any stage during the negotiations - a highly unusual state of affairs.

Bosingwa praised Scolari, his coach during the European Championship, as a man "who has won everything", and said he had also spoken to Cristiano Ronaldo about the Premier League - but not whether the winger wanted to continue playing in it. He maintained that despite interest from Manchester United, he signed for Chelsea because they wanted him the most. "We are starting a new era and hopefully it will be successful," the 25-year-old said.

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