Kenyon optimistic of signing Cole

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is confident Arsenal defender Ashley Cole will sign for them before the transfer window closes in seven days.

"We just need to agree a price, so I'm optimistic. I think it's fair to say it will go to the wire," he said. "We'd like it not to, but it could do."

Asked whether William Gallas will join Arsenal as part of any deal he said: "From our point of view definitely not.

"Even if he isn't we don't think it will stop us from getting Ashley Cole."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed earlier in the week that Chelsea had rejected an offer for French defender Gallas and said Cole's departure from the club remained "50/50".

The Cole transfer saga has rumbled on all summer, with Chelsea reportedly offering £20m but Arsenal holding out for £25m for the 25-year-old England international.

But Kenyon, in Monaco for the draw for the group stage of the Champions League, added: "I'd like to think he (Cole) will be part of our team.

"We've seven days to find out whether he will or he won't, but we're in discussions with Arsenal.

"Those discussions have been going on for several weeks and they'll be going on for another few days. We'll see what we can get."

Kenyon went on to say that he was aware of Arsenal's interest in Gallas.

He said: "We rejected an offer, but I know they are interested in him and would still like him to be part of the deal.

"Whether he will or he won't, I'm not sure."

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, at the same event in Monaco, said there were no new developments with regard to either player.

"We have made it clear we would like William Gallas," said Dein.

"When we negotiate it has to be at a level we believe is right for our budget, but there is no progress to relate.

"There's still a few more days to go of the transfer window, but at the moment Ashley Cole is an Arsenal player, and may very well remain an Arsenal player.

"If that's the case, we're relaxed. Whatever happens will happen."

Cole was left out of the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa last Saturday and both legs of the Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb.

He has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined by the Football Association for meeting with Chelsea representatives, including Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge.

In the aftermath Cole blamed Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein for his contract dispute and in June 2005 told the News of the World newspaper: "I blame David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love."

And in promotional material for his new book this summer the defender criticised the club for making him a "scapegoat" over the tapping-up affair.

From : BBC