Essien open to Barca or Real switch, agent claims

MICHAEL ESSIEN’S future at Chelsea has been thrown into doubt after his agent claims the midfielder would consider a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Fabian Piveteau claims Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid would be interested in luring the Ghana international away from Stamford Bridge and has refused to rule out the possibility of an approach proving successful.

“Some clubs are interested in Michael,’’ Piveteau said.

“He likes Chelsea very much, but football is football and if Real Madrid, Barcelona or some other club make an offer he needs to sit down and discuss what is best for him.’’

Should Essien leave the Bridge Andrea Pirlo could be a possible replacement.

However AC Milan have reiterated that no offer has been made by the Blues or any other club for the Italian international.

“We have not received any offers for Pirlo, not from Chelsea or any other club,” said AC Milan club administrator Adriano Galliani.

However, Galliani revealed the Rossoneri outfit turned down a tempting offer for Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato.

“Milan this year has resisted a monumental offer for Pato,” he said. “But I will not say which club made the offer.”

Pato had been a reported target of Chelsea but Milan have stated that the player is not for sale.

And having lost out to Liverpool in the race to sign Glen Johnson Brazilian right back Maicon has emerged as another possible Chelsea target after his agent claimed the west London outfit will be among the teams who attempt to lure the defender away from Inter Milan this summer.

The Brazil international has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, but Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is also a fan of 27-year-old wing-back. “I believe Ancelotti is one of Maicon’s biggest admirers,” Maicon’s agent Antonio Caliendo said. “It’s not just Real Madrid but Chelsea who also could make a move (for Maicon).

“However, what I would like to point out is that you don’t negotiate for a champion, you go there, you buy him and that’s that. You need to make a financial effort to buy a champion.”

Inter president Massimo Moratti confirmed on Monday that there was a 50% chance that Maicon would leave the club this summer and Caliendo believes Inter are doing the right thing by evaluating the offers.

“There’s still a 50% chance,” said Caliendo. “We adapt to what the (club) president wishes as he (Maicon) is tied to a four-year contract with the club. Moratti has made the right decision by listening to offers.”

Chelsea were boosted yesterday by the news winger Florent Malouda has signed a two-year extension to his current contract with the club.

The 29-year-old Frenchman, who had two years remaining on his existing deal, has ended speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge by signing a new deal that will now keep him at the club until 2013.

Elsewhere Hull manager Phil Brown has revealed the club intends to speak to Michael Owen’s representatives “within the week”.

On Monday Owen confirmed he will be leaving Newcastle at the end of his contract with the former England striker available on a free transfer.

He is expected to command considerable interest from the Premier League and abroad but Brown believes the Tigers can pull off a notable coup by snapping up the 29-year-old former Liverpool and Real Madrid star.

“We will be speaking to Michael’s representatives within the week,” Brown said.

“I would think he would have a number of offers and we’ll have to be competitive. But I wouldn’t sit down with him if I thought I was wasting my time. Anything is possible in football.”

Meanwhile new Paris St Germain coach Antoine Kombouare claims Inter midfielder Patrick Vieira is keen to join the capital club but admits his salary could be a stumbling block.

Kombouare said: “(We spoke) on the phone. He longed to come to PSG, to work together... He knows in particular that he needs a season to get back (to his best) with the 2010 World Cup in mind. But our concern is of course the salary. He is ready to make an effort, but to what level?

“(PSG president) Sebastien Bazin and Patrick Vieira are in negotiations. We will see if it is to be or not.”

Elsewhere Espanyol have confirmed they have reached an agreement for Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura to join the Primera Division club on a two-year deal.

Meanwhile West Ham have confirmed the signing of striker Luis Jimenez on a season-long loan from Inter Milan while Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora would be interested in a move to Sunderland, according to his agent.