WESTERN Sydney Wanderers are exploring the option of signing former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Fox Sports understands.

The Premier League legend is a free agent after finishing his time with Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer and foxsports.com.au has learnt the A-League club’s hierarchy have given the green light to pursue the Ivory Coast striker in an audacious bid to ignite their attack.

The Wanderers are desperate for another marksman up front to support Brendon Santalab, with Kerem Bulut not yet finding consistency since his return to the club this season.

Drogba, 38, would not just fit that bill, but would also likely fulfill Football Federation Australia’s benchmark for assistance from the roof body’s marquee fund.

Foxsports.com.au contacted the Wanderers for comment, but they re-iterated a stance of not commenting on transfer speculation.

Chelsea pair Jose Mourinho (L) shares a joke with striker Didier Drogba in 2007. Source: Getty Images

The Premier League winner, who returned to Stamford Bridge from stints in China with Shanghai Shenhua and Turkey with Galatasary to be part of Jose Mourinho’s 2014-2015 PL title winning squad, scored 21 times in 33 games in the MLS.

There was hype about possible Sydney FC interest when Chelsea toured Australia at the start of 2015, but Drogba firmly distanced himself from that and didn’t travel with the Blues for their post-season tour.

The Wanderers’ pursuit for a striker saw them flirt with Robbie Keane, which did not eventuate, while they were linked with Dimitar Berbatov earlier this month.

Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba (11) Source: Reuters

Meanwhile, Sydney FC is set to announce it has re-signed Graham Arnold for another two seasons.

After a disappointing 2015-2016 season, fortunes have turned around totally at the Sky Blues, and Arnold has inked a new deal to stay at Allianz Stadium beyond this term.

They’re currently seven points clear of Melbourne Victory in top spot, yet to lose a game this term.

Graham Arnold, head coach of Sydney. Source: Getty Images



