Galatasaray enters Didier Drogba talks

ISTANBUL (AP)

Turkish club Galatasaray says it is having talks with Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba about a possible move to Istanbul.

Galatasaray's short statement on its website gave no other detail on its efforts to sign the former Chelsea striker, who plays his club football in China for Shanghai Shenhua but is currently with Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Hurriyet newspaper said Galatasaray officials met with Drogba during the African Cup and agreed an 18-month deal that would earn him €7 million ($9.43 million), plus an extra €30,000 per match.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Galatasaray Sports Club has begun official negotiations regarding the transfer of Ivorian professional football player Didier Drogba from FC Shanghai Shenhua."

Drogba could become Galatasaray's second major signing during the January transfer window.

Last week, Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder joined from Inter Milan on a 3 1/2-year contract - reportedly worth €5 million a season -with the Champions League outfit.