Poignant

16 Mar 10, 22:04

Chelsea demand £25M for Real Madrid target Cole

Real Madrid are chasing Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole.

The Daily Mail says the Spanish club are looking for a world-class recruit to replace the disappointing Alvaro Arbeloa this summer and believe Cole's personal problems could tempt him to quit the Barclays Premier League.

Chelsea's high demands are a barrier to the deal - with the Blues thought to be seeking at least £25million for the 29-year-old - but the Bernabeu giants will persist in their pursuit if given encouragement by the player's camp.

They could even tempt him with a 50 per cent increase on his current £100,000 a week Stamford Bridge deal, which still has another three full seasons to run.

There are suggestions that Cole could seek a move abroad to escape headlines revealing alleged affairs, revelations that led to a separation with wife Cheryl.

Poignant

16 Mar 10, 22:06

Real Madrid step up Ashley Cole bid as Cheryl split takes its toll on Chelsea star

Real Madrid have made Ashley Cole their No 1 target to fill the problem left-back position.

The Spanish club are looking for a world-class recruit to replace the disappointing Alvaro Arbeloa this summer and believe Cole's personal problems could tempt him to quit the Barclays Premier League.

World class: Cole is a key member of the Chelsea defence

Chelsea's high demands are a barrier to the deal - with the Blues thought to be seeking at least £25million for the 29-year-old - but the Bernabeu giants will persist in their pursuit if given encouragement by the player's camp.

Troubled: Ashley Cole and wife Cheryl, the Girls Aloud singer, have split

They could even tempt him with a 50 per cent increase on his current £100,000 a week Stamford Bridge deal, which still has another three full seasons to run.

There are suggestions that Cole could seek a move abroad to escape headlines revealing alleged affairs, revelations that led to a separation with wife Cheryl.

Madrid are riding high in La Liga, but still see their defence as inferior to Barcelona's. Arbeloa has not impressed since a £3.5m summer move from Liverpool and head coach Manuel Pellegrini sees Brazil international Marcelo as more of a midfielder.

Madrid director general Jorge Valdano has been charged with drawing up a list of potential replacements and the Argentine sees Cole as being both attainable and good enough.

Manchester United's Patrice Evra has also been identified, but there is no indication that the France defender wants to quit Old Trafford.

Arsenal's Gael Clichy is also on the list of alternatives, along with Fiorentina's Juan Vargas, Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Luis Filipe (Deportivo) and David Luiz (Benfica).

Madrid bid £18m for Peru international Vargas in the winter window, offering the alternative of £13.6m and Royston Drenthe, but Fiorentina resisted a deal.

Madrid have struggled to fill the left back position since Brazil legend Roberto Carlos left in 2007.

Disappointing: Real's summer recruit Alvaro Arbeloa

reyes

17 Mar 10, 13:48

25million for 29year old is a good deal.

i dont think ashley cole will be the same player if he remain in england.

CKeer

17 Mar 10, 15:11

Originally posted by reyes:

25million for 29year old is a good deal.

i dont think ashley cole will be the same player if he remain in england.

Good deal for Chelsea but definitely not for Madrid.

Cole is reaching his peak and the only way is down.

dragg

17 Mar 10, 15:19

its crazy to pay 25 mill to nurture a player into retirement.

Rooney9

17 Mar 10, 15:21

Originally posted by dragg:

its crazy to pay 25 mill to nurture a player into retirement.

RM paid how much for Zidane when he was 29 when he moved from Juventus in 2001?

CKeer

17 Mar 10, 15:23

Originally posted by Rooney9:

RM paid how much for Zidane when he was 29 when he moved from Juventus in 2001?

But Ashley is no Zidane. There's only one Zizou.

Rooney9

17 Mar 10, 15:25

Originally posted by CKeer:

But Ashley is no Zidane. There's only one Zizou.

yes he is midfielder and cole is defender

Rooney9

17 Mar 10, 15:26

nvm lar, its RM money. no need to feel heartache for RM lar. they want to spend 20 or 30m, its their business.

iceFatboy

17 Mar 10, 16:22

yes, get Cole.. Evra, no good...

Rooney9

17 Mar 10, 16:49

Originally posted by iceFatboy:

yes, get Cole.. Evra, no good...

Poignant

18 Mar 10, 00:28

Real Madrid chiefs convinced Chelsea fullback Cole wants move

Real Madrid are convinced they can prise Ashley Cole away from Chelsea.

The England left-back, 29, is currently injured and suffering a nightmare time off the pitch following the breakdown of his marriage to former Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole, says the Mirror.

Widespread condemnation following his alleged conduct in the run up to the break-up has also sparked threats from the player's camp that he could quit the Premier League for Spain.

A Madrid source told Marca: "The Englishman from Chelsea is the player for the job. He is one of the best players in the world and wants to come to Spain."

The paper, widely known to be a mouthpiece for the Bernebeu club, even suggests Chelsea are "ready to listen to offers."

Rooney9

18 Mar 10, 00:35

probably cole wants to move to spain. since he is split with his wife, he can go woo and bed the spanish girls there lol, or get to know spanish celebrities there.

dragg

19 Mar 10, 08:54

Originally posted by Rooney9:

RM paid how much for Zidane when he was 29 when he moved from Juventus in 2001?

in this instance its not about money, its class.

Rooney9

19 Mar 10, 08:59

Originally posted by dragg:

in this instance its not about money, its class.

zidane is special, maybe once in a decade you will have player like zidane playing, just like there were maradona, gullit and marco van basten before him.

if RM were to buy cole for that amount of money, I think their left back position will not be a problem for many years to come.