The Montreal Impact are in negotiations with the Chicago Fire to acquire the MLS rights to Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, a source with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed to ESPN FC.

The news was also reported in a tweet by the Chicago-based site Fire Confidential.

The Fire have the right of first refusal on Drogba as a result of filing what's called a discovery claim on the former Chelsea forward. Chicago initially offered Drogba an 18-month contract with an annual salary of around $2.5 million, a source said, and later increased the offer to north of $3 million a year, according to another source.

But Montreal has done what it could to lure Drogba to the French-speaking city, and now it appears that Chicago isn't the player's preferred destination.

Speaking to reporters following Chicago's midweek victory over Orlando in the U.S. Open Cup, manager Frank Yallop said he hoped to resolve the situation in 48 hours, and that Drogba's representatives were pleased with the contract offer that was on the table. But that deadline has come and gone, lessening the likelihood that Drogba will end up in the Windy City. Yallop has also hinted that there are other players the club could pursue if it doesn't land Drogba.

League rules state that Montreal need only pay Chicago $50,000 to acquire his rights, but that's only if the Fire had no intention of making a contract offer to the player. Since Chicago has done that, the club is allowed to ask for more, though the source indicated via email that the two sides were "still apart" in terms of determining compensation.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has two MLS teams fighting for his services. AP Photo/Jon Super

Montreal isn't the only club in contention for Drogba's services. Inter Milan and an unknown Qatari club have also expressed interest, and published reports indicated that Indian side Atletico de Kolkata have also made a pitch to Drogba. But with talks at an advanced stage, it seems increasingly likely Drogba will end up in MLS.

Drogba, 37, has been out of contract since his deal with Premier League champions Chelsea expired at the end of last season. He saw the field with some regularity during the 2014-15 campaign, scoring seven goals in 38 appearances across all competitions. But he started just 12 of those matches as Diego Costa was manager Jose Mourinho's preferred option up top.

He has spent the bulk of career with the Blues, winning four Premier League titles, three League Cups, four FA Cups, and one UEFA Champions League crown. Drogba first left Chelsea back in 2012, and nearly signed with Chicago back then, but opted to play with Chinese side Shanghai Shenua. He spent just seven months in China, later signing with Turkish club Galatasaray. He then returned to Chelsea prior to the start of last season.

At international level, Drogba is the Ivory Coast's all-time leading scorer with 65 goals, and his 104 appearances rank third behind Kolo Toure's 108 and Didier Zokora's 123.