Juventus set to pull out of race to sign striker Drogba

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Juventus have all but given up hope of luring Shanghai Shenhua attacker Didier Drogba to Turin in the January transfer window, Goal.com understands.

The Bianconeri are desperate to add some more firepower to their squad this winter and Drogba is one of three names topping their shortlist alongside Robert Lewandowski and Fernando Llorente.

With the latter two seemingly unavailable in January, though, Juve had made Drogba their top target on the winter transfer market.

However, Juventus are reluctant to meet the Cote d'Ivoire international's contract demands as the experienced striker wants a two-year deal, whereas the Old Lady are only willing to offer a six-month contract with a one-sided option for an additional season.

Therefore, a transfer seems out of the question at this point unless either of the two parties changes its stance, someth ing that seems unlikely for now.

The 34-year-old is currently preparing for the 2013 AFCON, where Cote d'Ivoire will meet Tunisia, Algeria and Togo in the group stages.