Wenger wants quick Cole desicion

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants left-back Ashley Cole's future to be settled by the end of this week.

The 25-year-old has repeatedly been linked with Chelsea and Wenger said: "I don't know what will happen.

"For me, the deadline has come to make a decision one way or another and I would see this week as the limit."

Cole is not in Arsenal's squad for the Champions League tie at Dinamo Zagreb and, if a move goes through, could play for Chelsea in the competition.

Wenger insisted that Cole was left out for fitness reasons but Chelsea, who returned from a pre-season trip to America on Monday, would not want to sign a player who is ineligible for their 2006-07 Champions League campaign.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has admitted that initial talks between the two London clubs have taken place.

Chelsea were fined - together with Blues manager Jose Mourinho and Cole - in June 2005 after they breached league rules by meeting without Arsenal's knowledge.

Cole's relationship with the Gunners has been strained of late and in promotional material for his new book the defender criticised Arsenal for making him a "scapegoat" over the tapping-up affair.

The England left-back is expected to cost Chelsea up to £25m, with some reports linking unhappy Blues defender William Gallas with a move in the opposite direction.

Wenger said he admired the Frenchman but added: "We have never spoken to player or club about that so it's pure speculation at the moment."

From : BBC