Desailly turned down British trio

Former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly claims that Celtic, Crystal Palace and Portsmouth were all keen to bring him back to British football on a free transfer before an offer from Qatari club Al Ittihad proved impossible to turn down.

The 36-year-old, who won 116 France caps before quitting international football this summer, had been without a club after leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of last season.