Cole - Gallas move confirmed:
Chelsea and Arsenal left it late to conclude one of the most protracted and bitter transfer sagas of recent years as the reigning champions gave their London rivals £5 million and William Gallas to secure the signature of Ashley Cole.
The Blues dispatched chief executive Peter Kenyon to hammer out a deal on transfer deadline day and an agreement was eventually clinched just minutes before the close of the window.
Cole's relationship with his boyhood cub plumbed new depths over the summer when it emerged his upcoming autobiography was to contain substantial criticism of the Gunners hierarchy, and he has now secured a move to Stamford Bridge which was been mooted ever since he was caught in an illegal meeting with The Blues in January 2005.
Arsenal were hankering after Gallas in part-exchange and, whilst Chelsea seemed initially reluctant, the French international has now moved to The Emirates Stadium along with a cash payment of £5 million.
At 1.30am a joint statement from the two Premiership clubs confirmed that Jose Mourinho's lengthy pursuit of Cole had been concluded with a positive outcome.
"Chelsea and Arsenal have agreed terms for the transfers of Ashley Cole and William Gallas," the clubs said in a joint statement.
"Chelsea will also pay Arsenal 5 million pounds. Both players have agreed personal terms and passed their respective medicals."
Cole will now challenge England team-mate Wayne Bridge for the left-back spot at Stamford Bridge, whilst Gallas will strengthen a Gunners squad which saw fellow stopper Pascal Cygan leave for Villarreal on transfer deadline day.
Source:
www.skysports.com