Chelsea Transfer News: Ashley Cole Agrees New Contract

agreeing a new contract to keep him at the club until 2014. Whilst the contract has not yet been officially signed, the formalities are set to be completed early next week with the defender putting pen to paper on a one-year extension. Cole has been tipped with a move away from Stamford Bridge this month, and looked increasingly likely to join teammate Frank Lampard in leaving the club when their contracts expired in the summer. Back in November, when asked if the pair would leave the club when their contracts expired, new manager Rafael Benitez stated:

"I think so, I think that's the case at the moment."

Yesterday, we reported that Barcelona were interested in signing the player and Paris Saint-Germain were also thought to be keeping a close eye on developments also, with their manager Carlo Ancelotti keen on reuniting with Cole. Despite the 32-year old coming to the end of a glittering career, he is still regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world, and since joining the Blues in 2006, he has won one Premier League title, four FA Cups, one League Cup and last May lifted the first European Cup of his career. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard looks set to join MLS side LA Galaxy.