Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba could return to the Premier League in January, as Juventus manager Antonio Conte distanced himself from a move for the Ivorian.

Juve were thought to be in pole position for to complete a deal Shanghai Shenhua man, despite speculation surrounding a second spell with the Blues or a move to Liverpool.

However, Conte believes that he has enough options and that the deal would not represent financial sense:

"Transfer talk seems disrespectful to the players in my team, especially at the current moment.” He is quoted by SkySports following Juventus’ 3-0 win over Atalanta.

"It's a critical time as far as the economy is concerned and it's the same for several other teams.

"We won't be signing any top players because we're not in a position to.

“Neither us, nor other top teams in the Italian league."

Although he has been linked with a permanent move, a loan deal appears to be a more likely option.

With the Chinese Super League season finished until Spring 2013, Drogba would be available to European teams, so long as his current employers granted permission.

It had been rumoured that the ex-Marseille striker was on the verge of walking out on the Asian club following a pay dispute, but he appears to be content in Asia.