Spanish giants Real Madrid are on the verge of bidding for Ashley Cole after he rejected a new Chelsea deal.
It is believed that the England star, 28, has rejected the offer which would leave him £30,000-a-week short of the club’s top earners.
Ashley Cole who signed from Arsenal three years ago, wants to commit to the Blues but has said that the contract has to be right.
A source close to the playrer said that the player loves Chelsea and is genuinely excited about working with new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
He also added that Ashley wants to give the best years of his career to Chelsea but the deal has to be right for such an important contract.
Ashley Cole, currently on £70,000 a week contract, also has attracted the interest of European champions Barcelona but it is big-spending Madrid who is believed to have stepped up their interest in the left-back, who has won 71 England caps.
Madrid president Florentine Perez is aware that the club’s defence needs strengthening and new boss Manuel Pellegrini is said to be a long-term admirer of Cole.