PSG prime principals to be next club of Chelsea’s Cole

Chelsea remain confident that they can reach an agreement over a contract extension for Ashley Cole, but the time may have come for him to move away.

Cole has already fulfilled his ambition of winning the Champions League and now that he is closing in on his 32nd birthday, the temptation to chase a final big pay-day must be growing in temptation.

The England left-back’s current deal expires at the end of the season and he is reported at being unhappy that Chelsea have offered just a single-year extension.

Meanwhile, the news that deputy Ryan Bertrand has just agreed a new five-year deal at Stamford Bridge may lead Cole to feel more threatened than ever before for his first-team place.

A host of options are likely to be able to Cole, with Real Madrid the favourites to be his next club at 2/1.

Jose Mourinho knows Cole well from their time together at Chelsea and the player would find it hard to resist joining the most successful club in European football history.

However, the fact that the Spanish giants already have Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo to play in Cole’s position arguably means he is not needed, while it would be rare for Real Madrid to sign a player of his age.

Joining another English team looks out of the question, although Manchester United could potentially benefit from his signing with Patrice Evra struggling to reproduce the form he displayed two seasons ago.

Cole is unlikely to get the pay he wants in Italy, which makes this move unlikely, but 6/1 seems fair value he heads to any club in the MLS, given the lifestyle it will offer.

The big question is whether he feels he has more success to achieve in Europe or whether he would prefer to play at a higher standard for a few years more.

If this is the case, PSG may be the best bet to be Cole’s next club at 4/1.

They would certainly have no problems offering a hefty salary given the amounts being paid to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, while they are certainly trying to assemble a squad to win the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest to be linked and if Cole becomes available, they are certainties to be sniffing around.

English players moving to France has become slightly more likely in recent seasons too, with Joe Cole and Joey Barton leading the way.

Ashley Cole’s next club

Real Madrid 2/1
Man City 7/2
PSG 4/1
Man Utd 6/1
Any MLS team 6/1
Tottenham 7/1
Liverpool 7/1
Arsenal 50/1

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.