Lyon set Chelsea deadline over Essein

Chelsea have been warned they have until the end of the weekend to sign Lyon’s Michael Essien.

The 22-year-old Ghanaian midfielder has featured in a transfer saga that has dragged on, but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is beginning to run out of patience.

Aulas, who wants between £31-34m for his prize asset, told newspaper Le Progres that the offer had been improved but added: “It still does not correspond to what we wanted even if Chelsea attempted to include a player who interests us in the negotiations.

“Either the deal will be done during the weekend or not at all.”

The player Lyon want is reportedly Portuguese midfielder Tiago.

Meanwhile, Lyon coach Gerard Houllier would not say whether Essien will play against Strasbourg tomorrow.

Houllier said: “I don’t know if he will play on Sunday because I want to show confidence in the team that beat Le Mans.”