Chelsea won't get Essien: Aulas

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas claims negotiations have broken down irreparably with Chelsea over the possible sale of Michael Essien.

Aulas will now offer the Ghanaian midfielder a new four-year contract in an effort to persuade him to come back on side with the French champions.

Essien, 22, has appeared unsettled since Chelsea’s interest arose, with Lyon demanding €45m plus a Chelsea player to release him.

Aulas told the official Lyon website, www.olweb.fr: “England has the Olympics but Chelsea will not get Michael Essien. Michael Essien is, and will remain, a Lyon player.

“We are going to make concrete the contract proposition made and accepted by his agent, which is very rewarding for the player because it comprises not only a major pay rise, but also an extension of his contract until 2009.

“I will invite Michael and his agent to come and see me in St Tropez. This business (with Chelsea) is finished and there will be no meeting on Tuesday (today).”