Didier Drogba: 'Lack of finances prevented Marseille return'

Didier Drogba has confirmed that he held talks with officials from Marseille over a return to the club during the January transfer window.

The Ivory Coast international left Les Phoceens in 2004 for Chelsea, where he would go on to spend the next eight years of his career.

A move to China followed in the summer of 2012, but that failed to work out and it was revealed late last year that the 35-year-old was keen to play his football in Europe again.

However, a failure to reach an agreement over money scuppered a switch to Southern France and he ended up signing for Turkish outfit Galatasaray.

"It was not possible this winter. Financially, there are ways to find solutions that make everyone happy, but it was complicated," he told Canal+. "There are supporters who still say that I went to China when I had said I would come back [to Marseille].

"It's a matter of what is feasible. And it was not feasible. So, what do I do? Waiting instead of continuing my career? Obviously, I continued, keeping my heart blue and white. It's simple."

Drogba scored 32 goals during 55 appearances for Marseille.