Didier Drogba offered $1m to play in India

Didier Drogba is expected to decide the next step of his career this weekend.  As Mourinho revealed a few days ago, the Chelsea legend wants to play for two more years, before potentially returning to the Blues in some sort of capacity.  The smart money is probably on MLS and probably on Chicago.

"We're waiting on an answer, probably in the next 48 hours. We're just waiting for a decision from their side on what way he wants to go. He has choices. We feel that we've put a pretty good pitch in. He's very happy with what we've done, but, again, it's up the person himself to choose, and we'll see."

-Frank Yallop; Chicago Fire head coach; source: MLS

That was from roughly 48 hours ago.  But apparently an Indian Super League club named Atletico de Kolkata, backed by moneys from Atlético Madrid, have made a late surprise bid for the 37-year-old's services.

"This is a real statement of intent from clubs in the Indian Super League, who are passionately trying to put India on the global football map."

-source: Evening Standard

The offer includes not only the $1m in wages, but also an unspecified amount of bonuses as well as all living and travel expenses paid for the duration of the contract.  We've seen Drogba choose to maximize his earnings with his move three years ago to China, though perhaps the failure of that move soured him on taking another similar risk.

The ISL's deadline for clubs to name a marquee player is July 31st.  Drogba will have to arrive at a decision very soon indeed, making Chelsea fans in either Chicago or Kolkata very happy in the process.