Manchester City Want Didier Drogba

According to The Sun, mega-rich Manchester City are preparing a £15 million swoop for Chelsea's unsettled forward, Didier Drogba.

The Sky Blues are in need of an out-and-out striker, as the likes of Jo, Benjani and the injured Valeri Bojinov have failed to make much of an impression at Eastlands.

City boss Mark Hughes has long wanted Roque Santa Cruz to lead the line, but Blackburn Rovers continue to jack up the price on the Paraguayan hitman.

Thus, 'Sparky' has begun scouting out other potential targets, and it is thought his new favorite currently resides on the fringes at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba has fallen out of favor at Chelsea this season, as a combination of off-field drama and Nicolas Anelka's red-hot form have seen him relegated to second choice in the club's one-striker system.

Indeed, following a meek display in the Blues' recent defeat to Manchester United, the Ivorian was banished to the reserves and missed out on the FA Cup replay with Southend United.

He was also excluded from the squad for last weekend's narrow win over Stoke City, with youngsters Miroslav Stoch and Franco di Santo filling the bench instead.

There has been considerable speculation as to where the 30-year-old's future lies, with former club Olympique Marseille touted as a likely destination, but Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed those rumors.

However, the Chelsea manager could be tempted by the possibility of a swap deal involving Robinho, with Drogba replacing Anelka in the supposed four-man trade reported yesterday involving Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Alex.

It remains to be seen whether Robinho is eligible to move this month, but it is nonetheless highly unlikely that City would swap him for a player who, on paper, seems an ideal strike-partner for the samba star.