Real Madrid in for Chelsea and Man Utd target

By European Football
June 22 2005

Manchester United and Chelsea face a free bidder in the shape of Real Madrid in their battle to land Ghana midfielder Mickael Essien. It was previously thought that Chelsea had bid 25 million euros for the player, but now it turns out that bid was actually from Real Madrid.

Club president Jean-Michel Aulas stated when asked if he had received a bid from Chelsea:

"That bid was from another club."

"We have had no offer from Chelsea."