Transfer Rumours: Didier Drogba Among 13 Veterans Vying for New Contract

As the end of the season rapidly approaches, agents' and players' eyes alike will be looking at new contracts.

March is the time when deals will start to be made. We have already seen Eric Abidal extend his Barcelona contract by a year with an option of two extra years.

For some, this will mean massive long-term deals, but for others it could be a last shot at the big time.

Here are the 13 players who will be looking to end the season impressively and bag that one last big contract.

Didier Drogba

The Ivorian celebrated his 100th goal in Chelsea colours at the weekend in a victory over Stoke.

However, with his contract coming to an end this summer, his glittering Chelsea career may be coming to an end.

Drogba reportedly wants a two-year contract extension, but at 34 years old, this request isn't likely to be granted.

Drogba should not be short of offers. Some speculation has linked him to follow Nicolas Anelka to China for a mega-contract.

Another option could be Paris St-Germain, who would have the funds and would likely love to bring Drogba back to France.

Walter Samuel

Another huge name set to be a free agent this July is Inter Milan's Walter Samuel.

The Argentinian has been with the Italian club since 2005 but looks like he could now be heading to England.

With his contract running down, the central defender has been linked to Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs.

A stumbling block could be the 34-year-old's reported £90,000 a week wage demands. There are also questions surrounding his pace.

At this stage in his career, will anyone give this old warhorse one final big payday?

Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov won't be leaving United on a free transfer this summer, but he will be vying for a contract at a different club.

When Berbatov joined the club for a record fee of £30.75 million in 2008, a clause was agreed that meant he would have to sign on again for a fifth year if the club wanted it.

United are set to trigger that clause, meaning that they will receive a fee for the Bulgarian rather than letting him go for nothing.

At 31 years old, this could be the last big contract of Berbatov's career. A move back to Germany could be on the cards, possibly with former club Bayer Leverkusen.

Michael Owen

Another United striker on the way out of Old Trafford is Michael Owen. Many were surprised when Sir Alex Ferguson extended Owen's contract last year, but after just four games this season and yet another injury, Owen will probably be on his way out this summer.

If that's the case, then the big question is where Owen will be playing next season. He has recently resumed training and when playing, is still deadly in front of the goal.

Rumours have linked the former England star to Reading, who are cash rich after the takeover by Anton Zingarevich.

Kevin Davies

It has been a source of controversy with Bolton fans this season that Davies has not consistently been in the starting lineup.

What would be more controversial, is if the Bolton captain leaves the club on a free transfer this summer.

At 34 years of age, Davies is likely to want to see out his carer at the club he has been at since 2003, despite the fact that he has been largely used as a substitute this season.

Whether Bolton will offer him a new deal is yet to be seen.

Davies is just one of 10 players out of contract at the club, and with the club struggling to get their finances under control, the players on big wages may be on their way out of the club.

The most likely destination is Sunderland, who tried to sign the striker in January. Other possible destinations could be Wolves or Everton.

Jussi Jaaskelainen

As hard as it is to imagine a Bolton team without Kevin Davies, it is equally difficult to imagine them without Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Jaaskelainen has been a stalwart of the team ever since he signed for Bolton in 1997 for a bargain £100k transfer.

The Finn's contract is up this summer, and Bolton may be looking for a new man between the sticks.

At age 36, Jaaskelainen still has some good years in him. Just look at Brad Friedal at Totenham, four years Jaaskelainen's senior.

He has always been a great shot stopper, and at different points in his career has been linked to Arsenal and Barcelona.

If Owen Coyle decides against offering Jussi a new contract, a host of teams should be lining up to secure his signature.

QPR or possibly West Brom could be good destinations for the Finn.

Owen Hargreaves

Eyebrows were raised when Manchester City offered injury plagued midfielder Owen Hargreaves a one-year contract last year.

After yet another season of injury troubles and lack of playing time, the deal has not worked out for either side.

For City, it is a gamble where they had very little to lose. After it has backfired, they will likely release him.

If he is released, will Hargreaves find another club willing to take him?

West Brom were certainly interested in him last year, and may throw the midfielder a lifeline again. If not, Hargreaves may have to start looking at the very real prospect of retirement.

It has been an unfortunate career for one of England's most talented midfielders recently. Hopefully, he can regain his fitness, but at this point, it seems like a long shot.

Carlos Cuellar

Big things were expected of Cuellar when he arrived at Villa from Rangers in 2008 for £7.8 million.

Things haven't gone quite as planned for the Spaniard, as he has struggled to break into the central defence at Villa.

Most of his appearances under Martin O'Neill were at right back. This has changed recently however under Alex McLeish.

Injuries to James Collins and Richard Dunne have given Cuellar an opportunity at the heart of the defence, and he has grabbed it with both hands.

With his contract up this summer, it is unclear whether Cuellar will be happy with his current role at Villa or will want to take his services elsewhere.

As reported by birminghampost.net, he has stated that he is happy in Birmingham, but must be frustrated at the lack of movement over a new deal.

If he does want to move, then he won't be short of clubs to chose from.

Emile Heskey

News that may not be greeted by many Villa fans warmly is that Emile Heskey is likely to be offered a new deal at Villa Park.

As yet no talks have taken place to keep the striker at the club, but Alex McLeish has dropped a fair few unsubtle hints as to his plans for Heskey.

As reported In October by Daily Mail online, he stated that "Emile is in the last year of his contract, but I don't think he needs to worry about his future."

Heurelho Gomes

A lack of consistency has meant that Gomes has never really settled into English football. One week he will pull off an amazing save of a world-class goalkeeper, the next he will look like a stranger to his defence.

The arrival of Brad Friedal has left Gomes kicking his heels for most of the season. With his contract coming to an end, it looks like the Brazilian may be on his way out of North London.

At 30 years of age, the Brazilian is not ready to be warming the bench and will look for starting opportunities elsewhere. He has attracted the interests of QPR in recent months, but any move to Loftus Road would depend on their Premier League survival.

Gomes has stated that he would like to stay in England, but will there be a team that wants him?

Craig Gordon

Things looked good for Craig Gordon when he signed for Sunderland in a record-breaking £9 million deal. Now that five-year contract is coming to a close, things are looking very different.

Knee injuries and two broken arms have meant that the Scot has never been able to settle properly at the Stadium of Light.

With Simon Mignolet and Keiren Westwood both on the books, it looks like he may be on the way out.

If Sunderland do decide to let him go, then a possible landing spot could be back in Scotland with league leaders Celtic.

The Glasgow club were linked with the goalkeeper last summer. With Fraser Forster's loan ending, they will once again be on the lookout for a "keeper."

José Bosingwa

Another player looking set to leave Chelsea is full back José Bosingwa. The Portuguese international has played consistently this season but has so far refused to sign a new contract.

Former manager Andre Villas-Boas had announced his intention to tie up Bosingwa to a new deal. The club have the option to extend the contract for another year, but with the instability at the top of the club, his future remains in doubt.

If he doesn't stay in London, a possibility for Bosingwa is a move to French league leaders PSG. Chelsea were rumoured to have offered him to the French team in January, but a deal could not be done.

Sylvain Distin

There has still been no movement on a new contract for Everton's Sylvain Distin.

Despite this, it still remains most likely that he will be a Toffees player next season. The Frenchman has been in good from this season, and Davis Moyes won't want to let him go for free.

Everton hold a clause that gives them a year-long extension option on Distin's contract.

If he can remain in good from for the rest of the season, then expect Distin to remain in Blue next season.