It does not appear as though Didier Drogba is headed to the United Arab Emirates, but it's from lack of effort.
Al Wasl, a club in the UAE pro league, has made an offer to Drogba but claim the striker seems more intent on playing in China. Marwan bin Bayat, Al Wasl's chairman, said the club was "definitely serious" about acquiring Drogba but he "seems more interested in China."
Bin Bayat did not say how much the club offered but would admit that it was less than Drogba was offered from the Chinese team. The Ivory Coast native has been widely linked to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua. Shanghai has already hired former Argentina coach Sergio Batista and former Chelsea player Nicoles Anelka.
Al Wasl is managed by former Argentina great Diego Maradona. Maradona wants bigger names on the club in order to improve the team's eighth place finish last season in the 12-team UAE league.
Drogba is undoubtedly one of the top players in the world. He also happens to be one of the most divisive as he is often criticized for his temperamental style of play and his propensity to dive and over-exaggerate tackles.
Drogba has played with Chelsea in the English Premier League since 2004. In that time he has appeared in 341 matches and recorded 157 goals and 71 assists. He helped lead Chelsea to the Champions League title this season. In the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, Drogba scored the game-tying goal in the 88th minute and then netted the winning penalty kick in the 4-3 penalty shootout.
In May, Chelsea announced that Drogba would be leaving the club when his contract expired at the end of June.