ROME, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta on Friday dismissed reports that they had signed a deal with former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Local media reported that a deal between the Bianconeri and the former Chelsea man were done, but Marotta confirmed that those stories were fabricated.

"Drogba? No, we haven't made any contact," he told Sky Sport Italia. "He would not be available anyway because of the African Cup of Nations.

"I don't know how people haven't realised this. Lucio has recently left the club and Giorgio Chiellini is injured, so we will be searching for a player to fill the central defender role," he said.