Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba [ Images ] has asked FIFA [ Images ] for special permission to leave China's Shanghai Shenhua on loan before the January transfer window, Chinese media reported on Thursday.
With the Chinese Super League season over, the former Chelsea [ Images ] forward wants to keep himself sharp for the African Nations Cup, which begins on January 19.
"The FIFA administration services are looking into it," FIFA said in a statement.
The 34-year-old teamed up with former Chelsea strike partner Nicolas Anelka [ Images ] at Shanghai in June after agreeing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the big-spending club.
Drogba has scored eight goals in 11 games for the Chinese side but Shenhua only finished ninth in the 16-team table, 20 points behind champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
Under current rules, Drogba, who spent eight seasons with Chelsea after joining the European champions from French side Marseille [ Images ], cannot play for another club until January 1.
Ivory Coast, currently on a 22-match unbeaten run, are favourites to win the African Nations Cup in South Africa [ Images ], which runs until February 10.
Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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