It was a well-kept secret! For several months, the Marseille club had been pushing to bring Didier Drogba back to the South-East of France. The club narrowly missed out a few months ago, with the player eventually joining Galatasaray. The Marseille club was unable to match the amount of its transfer, 10 million euros, plus a bonus of 15,000 euros per match played.
Didier Drogba also wanted to replay the Champions League, which he won in 2012 with Chelsea. And this week he will deliver a promising match against Real Madrid.
But Marseille wanted Didier who can still contribute a lot despite his 35 years. And for several months, the president had been pushing to bring the player in next summer.
His transfer should be announced on May 26, 1993, the 20th anniversary of our European coronation in Munich. According to my information, Didier would have agreed to halve the amount of his transfer and waived his match bonus! On the other hand, he would receive 25,000 euros per goal scored in the league, and double that in the Champions League if the club manages to qualify for next season.
Sabri Lamouchi, the Ivory Coast coach, who decided to do without Didier’s services would have been the first to be surprised by this transfer. And yes, Sabri, I shouldn’t bury my friend too soon. He must play in the 2014 World Cup, and this transfer to Om will help him do so.
Didier, who I had off duty, is delighted. In Marseille, there is great joy today. We remember the great times of 2003-2004 before his departure for Chelsea!
I can’t wait to see Didier again at the Vélodrome and to toast his new Marseille successes with him…
(Note: This text appears to be a fictional and humorous April Fools’ Day prank, as indicated by the reference to “April 1st” at the end.)
