Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Cole switch stalls

10 Aug 2006 - 08:03:21

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Chelsea have ended their pursuit of Ashley Cole after failing to agree a fee with Arsenal for the England left-back.

One of the longest running transfer sagas of recent times was expected to end this week with Cole moving across London to Stamford Bridge, but the Blues were not prepared to meet Arsenal's £25million asking price.

The 25-year-old is widely regarded as the best left-back in the world, but the Premiership champions are not prepared to pay more than £16million to sign him.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said: "I haven't lost patience. Ashley Cole is Arsenal's player and they have the power in their hands to say yes or no.

"We have the power in our hands to say how far our offer goes. The offer went to the limit.

"The club does not move one single pound more and I completely agree with that.

"Our offer is an excellent offer for an excellent player. It's in their hands. They say no and no is no."

Mourinho now plans to look at other options to fill the vacancy in his squad created by the sale of Spain left-back Asier Del Horno to Valencia.

That would leave Cole in an uncomfortable position at the Emirates Stadium, as he has made no secret of his desire to leave.

He fell out with several Arsenal officials over their handling of the tapping-up affair, which saw him fined £75,000 by the FA Premier League after holding an unsanctioned meeting with Chelsea representatives, and his forthcoming autobiography is believed to contain stinging criticism of some senior figures at the club.