Drogba chasing special transfer

Shanghai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba has requested FIFA’s permission to seek an exit outside the January window.

The Chinese Super League season came to an end earlier in November, and Ivory Coast international Drogba has set his sights on a loan move away from Shenhua to maintain his fitness until the African Cup of Nations kicks off on January 19, with world football’s governing body considering the former Chelsea star’s request.

“The FIFA administration services are looking into it,” a FIFA statement read.

Drogba has recently been linked with clubs such as Juventus and Chelsea, but he would be unable to move before January 1 under current FIFA regulations.

Ivory Coast have been drawn alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Togo in Group D of the 2013 Cup of Nations. They take on Togo on January 22 in their first match of the tournament.