The Stamford Bridge side have not spent big since the signing of Andriy Shevchenko last year, settling for a string of free transfers instead.

With Bosman signings Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro the only summer arrivals to date, Drogba has told owner Roman Abramovich he will leave unless the Russian shows greater enthusiasm.

"If I think the club lacks ambition, then it is sure I will not stay too long. I'm 29 and I don't have much time to lose," he said. "I'm at the last big turning point of my career."

Drogba has just finished a sensational season for Chelsea, scoring 33 goals in all competitions, and admitted his head could be turned by the offer of a new challenge abroad.

"It's time for one final big choice - should I stay or should I go? I am tempted to discover another world and to see what footballing life is like outside England," he said.

"It would be a big disappointment if I never manage to play for teams that I dream of playing for. That would be terribly frustrating.

"Spain and Italy attract me a lot and, although I am a long way from saying farewell to Chelsea, you never know what can happen."