Rumour: Real Madrid set sights on Ashley Cole

As match time becomes increasingly scarce and Ashley Cole’s position at Chelsea becomes more and more compromised, rumour mills among the press continue to churn out stories linking the England veteran to a host of clubs.

The Express has produced perhaps the most spectacular so far, as Real Madrid are reported to be looking into making a bid in January, or snapping the left-back up for free when his current contract expires at the end of the present season.

The Chelsea defender played the whole 90 minutes against Swansea after not featuring in the previous seven games, yet few believe this constitutes Cole’s breaking back into the starting line-up with team rotations being common practice during the busy festive period. Cesar Azpilicueta is generally Jose Mourinho’s preferred option at left-back, despite his preferred position being over on the right side of defence.

However, Carlo Ancelotti remains undeterred by the 33-year-olds period of inactivity on the Chelsea bench, and is reportedly keen on bringing Cole in to compensate for the expected departure of Fabio Coentrao.

Meanwhile, Chelsea hope to bring in Southampton’s prodigy, Luke Shaw, the next chance they get but fear an inflated price tag of £35 million, though the Blues will hope to be able to haggle the South-coast club down to around £20 million. Such a move would certainly spell curtains for Ashely Cole’s Chelsea career.