Drogba not going to Juve: Conte rejects a move for the Ivorian

By Press Association Reporter

PUBLISHED: 19:11 EST, 16 December 2012 | UPDATED: 19:11 EST, 16 December 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has ruled out making an approach for former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in the transfer window.

A report in the Gazzetta dello Sport today suggested Juve had made 'significant progress' with an approach for the Shanghai Shenhua forward, who made an appearance at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, who could be tempted back to Europe after failing to settle in China.

Untrue: Juventus manager Antonio Conte (right) has rejected claims that he is lining up a bid for Didier Drogba in January

The Serie A champions have also been linked with Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, but Conte insists Juventus are in no financial position to sign 'top players'.

Following today's 3-0 victory over Atalanta, he told the Corriere dello Sport: 'Speaking about the transfer market seems a bit disrespectful to my current players, who have showed great desire and dedication to my ideas over the last year.

'We are just fine keeping our feet on the ground. This is a difficult time given the current economic climate, not just for Juve but for all the other clubs.

Unsettled: Drogba (pictured) has failed to adjust to life in China and is seeking a move back to Europe. His appeal to FIFA for an emergency loan move back to Chelsea was rejected last month

Suited and booted: Didier Drogba made an appearance at the SPOTY awards

'I won't be bringing in any top players because we don't have the means to support them.

'We have to make the most of what we have, we have to work hard and try to improve our current players into top players.

'Some have already got there and some will become great.'

Juventus will lead the Serie A table going into the new year as Conte looks to win a second Scudetto in just two years of stewardship in Turin, with the Bianconeri also through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Top: Juventus will be top of Serie A at Christmas, seven points clear of Inter Milan