Chelsea bid for Anelka rejected
Bolton have rebuffed Chelsea’s undisclosed offer for striker Nicolas Anelka.
Head coach Avram Grant wants the French international to bolster his attacking options with Didier Drogba on African Nations Cup duty later this month.
Anelka has taken Chelsea’s eye after scoring 11 goals this season in a struggling side.
The London club made their first formal bid today, but it has been rejected by Bolton.
Former Arsenal striker Anelka signed a new four-year contract earlier this season but his superb form has seen him strongly linked with to a move to a bigger club.
Valued at about £10m, only last week he revealed to a French newspaper that Bolton and Chelsea were in a dialogue about a possible move.
However manager Gary Megson refuted claims a deal was imminent and following the FA Cup defeat by Sheffield United on Saturday he insisted there had been no formal approach for Anelka by any club.
Meanwhile Chelsea tonight confirmed they are in the process of trying to sign Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka.
The striker has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks and Bolton had earlier rejected a bid, believed to be £12m, from the Londoners.
But Chelsea insist the negotiations are still ongoing with Bolton and are hopeful of landing the player.
A Chelsea spokesperson tonight revealed: “We can confirm we have made an official offer for the transfer of Nicolas Anelka which is being discussed with Bolton.”
Chelsea are in the hunt for a new striker following the loss of Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba to the African Nations Cup and Andriy Shevchenko through injury.
Chelsea have just one fit striker for tomorrow night’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg tie against Everton.
It is understood that negotiations for the transfer of Anelka will continue over the next 24 hours.
