Drogba ready for Real deal?

Plundering the best from the English Premier League.

Is this the offer that Drogba has been waiting for? -- Pictures: REUTERS

That appears to be Real Madrid's current transfer policy.

Real president Ramon Calderon has launched a double charm offensive to try to sign Didier Drogba in addition to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Calderon is negotiating with Roman Abramovich over Chelsea striker Drogba about a £pounds;20 million ($54m) move to the Bernabeu.

That deal becomes more likely as Russian striker Andrei Arshavin flies in tomorrow for talks with a view to joining Chelsea from Zenit St Petersburg for £pounds;12m ($32.4m).

Calderon has forged a friendship and alliance with Stamford Bridge owner Abramovich in the past few weeks while discussing a potential move for Robinho.

Real are willing to let striker Robinho go in a player-plus-cash deal if it means they can land Ronaldo from Old Trafford.

But they would also be interested in a very similar arrangement with Chelsea for Drogba.

The Blues are determined to sell the 30-year-old striker after he grew disillusioned following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

Barcelona have been linked with Drogba, while a reunion with former Chelsea boss Mourinho at Inter-Milan has also been rumoured as a possibility.

GREAT CLUB

But now Abramovich's relationship with Calderon has also paved the way for Real to sign Drogba, who is open to moving to Spain.

'Why not?' Drogba's agent Pierre Frelot said.

'Didier is calm because he is at a great club like Chelsea, but Real Madrid are a great club also.'

The Spaniards have also been tracking Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov, but are ready to stand aside and leave the way clear for Manchester United - as long as they sell them Ronaldo.

United have dug their heels in and are refusing to sell Ronaldo.

Real's new approach is designed to try to broker some peace with the Champions League winners.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge admirer of Berbatov - but Spurs do not want to sell to another Premier League club.

Tottenham are demanding £25m ($67.5m), and up to £10m ($27m) more from an English club. -- Wire Services.

SUB-EDITOR RAY CHEN SAYS:

This must surely be music to

Drogba's ears as he has been itching for a move ever since Mourinho left Chelsea.

The Ivorian is a powerful all-round striker and teaming up with Ruud van Nistelrooy will have Real's opponents sweating.

But remember Drogba's first year in England? Real fans are not a patient bunch, so he better adapt much quicker if he does go to Spain.