Drogba has only a year to run on his existing Chelsea deal

Chelsea intends extending the contract of striker Didier Drogba with news of Olympique Marseille lurking to return the huge target man back to France.

The Ivory Coast international have been an integral part of the club through the reign of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovic.

But with the appointment of Andres Villas-Boas as manager coupled with reports of players he wants to bring in, speculations are rife the 32-year-old could be heading for Stamford Bridges’ exit.

However regardless of Chelsea’s success in the transfer market, Drogba is still considered a mainstay at Stamford Bridge and, as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, the club intend to offer him a one-year extension.

Preparatory talks have already been held Drogba’s representatives and formal negotiations are expected to commence ahead of the player’s return for pre-season training next week, aimed at deflecting interest from Galatasaray and, in particular, Marseille.

Drogba has consistently stated desire to leave Chelsea in favour of a return to the Stade Vélodrome, where he enjoyed a successful single campaign in 2003-04 and was welcomed back as a returning hero for a Champions League group game last December.

The French club’s president, Vincent Labrune, suggested on Tuesday that Marseille would be capable of funding his purchase and wages, albeit only after instigating their own player sales.

“The question would be whether in terms of salary – not a transfer fee – Marseille have the means to pay Didier Drogba for four years and the answer is ‘yes’,” he said.

“Though only if we had some departures [from the squad].”

Yet Chelsea will apparently resist that interest, effectively meaning it would take Drogba requesting to leave Stamford Bridge for his departure to be smoothed.