Drogba given the freedom of Milan but Essien set to stay at Chelsea

Milan president Adriano Galliani has claimed that talks with Chelsea over signing Drogba are already at an advanced stage, but Inter are set to step up the chase after appointing Jose Mourinho as their new manager yesterday.

Milan bound: Didier Drogba looks set to go to either Milan or join up with Mourinho at Inter

The Ivory Coast international has a close relationship with the former Chelsea boss and has kept in touch ever since he lost his job last September.

Old pals: Then-Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho (left) shares a joke with striker Didier Drogba during training

The Chelsea hierarchy are keen to sell having grown fed up with Drogba's attitude last season and are ready to cash in on the 30-year-old for around £20million.

Galliani believes Drogba will end up at Milan despite manager Carlo Ancelotti's failure to get the club into the Champions League next season.

He said: "Carlo Ancelotti wants Drogba. I do not see anything wrong in a transfer, talks have already begun."

True blue: Michael Essien looks dejected following his team's defeat in the Champions League final but the Ghanaian is happy to remain at the Bridge

Mourinho will not give up without a fight and his appointment is set to ensure Inter will also chase Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Ricardo Carvalho.

But he is not expected to be able to prise midfielder Michael Essien away from Stamford Bridge.

Essien is understood to be happy at the club and is not looking to move having signed a new five-year contract only 12 months ago.

The Ghanian international has emerged as one of Chelsea's key players and his value has gone up since he joined from Lyon for £24.4m in 2005.

They may have a tougher task convincing Carvalho to stay, while Lampard is expected to have more talks over his future later this week.

Keeper Petr Cech's contract talks have been put on hold and are now likely to take place after Euro 2008.