Chelsea soccer player Didier Drogba carries the London 2012 Olympic torch during the route through Swindon, England, May 23, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The chairman of Al Wasl said the United Arab Emirates club has made a bid for Didier Drogba but that he expects the former Chelsea star to sign with a Chinese club.

Marwan bin Bayat would not say how much Al Wasl has offered Drogba, only that it was less than what has been offered from the Chinese team. Drogba has been linked to Shanghai Shenhua.

Maradona, head coach of Al Wasl?wants the club to bring in bigger names after a season in which it finished eighth in the 12-team UAE pro league.