Drogba link puzzles Conte

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has denied he is looking to sign former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Serie A champions Juventus are reported to be in the hunt for a new centre forward, but Conte says he has not discussed the possibility of the Ivory Coast international joining from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

“I don’t know why Drogba’s name is being mentioned (with a move to Juventus),” Conte told Tuttosport. “I haven’t spoken to anyone about him and neither have I been asked.”

Conte added that while he is keen to see a major new signing in Turin, the club would not spend beyond their means.

“We could do with a world-class player who has won the Champions League, but we know what we need and how the club should proceed,” he said.

“We don’t have 50 million euros to spend, but if we plan ahead then we could buy some champions for 35-40 million euros.”