LONDON, May 21 — Chelsea defender Ashley Cole will decide where he is to play next season after his vacation. It is understood that up to eight clubs are keen to sign on the former England left-back once his contract with Chelsea ends, as reported in The Guardian.
On Monday, Cole tweeted that his eight-year career at Stamford Bridge was almost certainly over and would not be playing for Chelsea next season. His current deal will end on 30 June. The Guardian reported that Chelsea manager José Mourinho had hoped to retain him for a further 12 months, but the club are now expected to pursue alternative long-term options at left-back with interest established in Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno and Atlético Madrid’s Filipe Luís.
Monaco and PSG are among the clubs interested in securing England’s most capped left-back last summer. Meanwhile, Cole’s representatives have not ruled out a move to a rival Premier League team, according to the UK daily. According to The Guardian there could yet be interest from Real Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti retains his position beyond the end of the current campaign, while clubs in Major League Soccer are also keeping an eye on the situation.
