Chelsea face interest in Ashley Cole from Barcelona and Manchester City

20 May 2009 08:42
An excellent season at Stamford Bridge has restored Cole's reputation as one of the best left-backs in the world and a host of clubs are hoping to take advantage of managerial uncertainty at Chelsea in a bid to lure the England international away from London. City, who bought Cole's understudy for both Chelsea and England, Wayne Bridge, in the January transfer window, are nonetheless interested in offering Cole a five-year deal in the region of £130,000-a-week. According to a report in the Express, Barcelona have already sounded out Chelsea and are prepared to make a firm £20 million offer at the season's end. Inter Milan, whose manager Mourinho has worked with Cole in the past, are also watching developments with interest but Barcelona's need and seriousness is greater as they look to replace the increasingly erratic Frenchman Eric Adibal and the ageing Silvinho. Interim manager Guus Hiddink will leave Chelsea following the FA Cup final against Everton at the end of the month and though AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to replace him no official confirmation has yet been made. Chelsea, however, are aware of the interest Cole is generating and to counter any moves have already opened talks with the player's representatives over an improved contract that would see him up his £80,000-a-week wages and join the likes of John Terry and Michael Ballack as a top earner at the club.

Source: Telegraph