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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba still wants to leave the club to join Real Madrid next season, Marca, regarded as an unofficial mouthpiece of the club, has reported.

According to the newspaper, the 29-year-old Ivory Coast star’s agents contacted Real officials last week once again to express the player’s interest in joining the Spanish champions.

Real Madrid had previously shown little interest in Drogba, with reports claiming they puut off by his age and by Chelsea’s asking price of over €40 million.

But according to Marca, the striker’s insistence on joining Real had persuaded the club to pursue the deal although they are unlikely to offer anywhere near Chelsea’s valuation.

Drogba, who is under contract with Chelsea until 2010, has expressed his desire to leave the club on several occasions since Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho left Stamford Bridge in September.

A busy weekend ahead in the Premier League including Spurs v Man Utd and Newcastle v Middlesbrough. Click here for our BestPrice match coupon.