Transfer Rumours: Chelsea Target Tottenham's Benoit Assou-Ekotto to Replace Ashley Cole

Chelsea are set to table a £5 million bid for Tottenham left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto as they attempt to cover their bases in preparation for Ashley Cole’s departure in the summer.

Thirty two year old Cole has rejected the one-year rolling contract extension he has been offered by the Blues, and will in all likelihood leave the club in the summer on the expiry of his existing contract.

Paris St. Germain and Manchester United have both been touted as possible destinations for Cole, and the England international will be able to negotiate with the former in January itself.

Chelsea currently have Ryan Bertrand serving as Cole’s understudy, but are looking at a more experienced player to fill in while the youngster matures into the role.

Chelsea have also been eyeing Southampton youngster Luke Shaw, but feel it would be better to bring in a player who has already played at Premier League level while they blood Bertrand, rather than another youngster which could put more pressure on Bertrand to step up to the plate earlier than he is ready to.

Assou-Ekotto has missed the lion share of this season with a knee injury, and with Tottenham looking settled well without him, Spurs could well be convinced to cash in on the Cameroonian.

source:footylatest