We turned down Chelsea - Sensi

Roma president Franco Sensi has claimed he rejected a bid of £24.6m (€35.5m) from big-spending Chelsea for Brazilian star Emerson during the summer.

The Blues’ billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has bankrolled a £100m (€1.44m) spending spree since taking over at the London club in July, and Sensi says the Russian tried to tempt the Serie A giants into parting with the midfielder.

But Sensi revealed the Roma board of directors turned down the offer, and added talks over a contract extension with the 27-year-old World Cup winner will begin soon.

“Abramovich offered me 40 million euros and I said no,” he said. “I told the player that I would never have sold him and I have assured him that we will extend his contract – he will get what he deserves.”

Chelsea completed their summer spending when they signed French international Claude Makelele from Real Madrid for £16.8m (€24.2m) yesterday.