Maradona's UAE club has been linked with the 34-year-old Ivorian who is out of contract after leaving Chelsea at the end of last season, having helped the club claim the UEFA Champions League trophy in a dramatic penalty shoot-out over Bayern Munich last month.

Although some reports have suggested Al Wasl are genuinely interested in signing Drogba, he is also being pursued by Chinese big-spenders Shanghai Shenhua, who have reportedly tabled an contract worth 230,000 Euros per week, while Spanish champions Real Madrid are also in the race.

"A club with the right finances can attract Drogba," Maradona told reporters.

"Right now Al Wasl isn't in that category. I heard he's going to China.

Last week a club official had told Sport360 that Al Wasl were making a 'serious' attempt to lure the Ivory Coast international to Dubai.