But the Ivory Coast international holds the Mediterranean club dear to his heart and spoke recently about the possibility of “finishing his adventure” with OM.

Diouf has not given up hope of witnessing the return of the 30-year-old, whose form in his season at Marseille in both Ligue 1 and Europe earned him the French player of the year award.

“We must talk to our supporters in adult language,” Diouf told 10 Sport.

“They know we do what we say, and vice-versa. To say to them, ’We are going to win the Champions League’ or ’Drogba is going to return’, I will not allow myself to do it – that would be showing them a lack of respect.

“On the other hand, to say to them: ’Like you, I really want Drogba to come back and if there is a possibility of doing it, I will do it’, that I can guarantee them.

“Each time I see him, I say to him: ’Now Didier, get your bags together and come back here!”’

Marseille last month dismissed talk of a move for Drogba, labelling him “inaccessible” at the moment.

Diouf appreciates Marseille cannot match the wages the striker earns at Chelsea but believes there could be ways around it.

“Even if the possibility is thin, it still exists,” Diouf added.

“When you look at the economic reality square in the face, it isn’t reasonable for a French club.

“However, you can’t exclude thinking of other scenarios, like the boy accepting a pay cut, efforts on our part...”