ARSENAL tried to get Ashley Cole to join Manchester United
rather than let Chelsea have him.
Cole has told a Gunners insider vice-chairman David Dein promised
to sort out a From Back Page
to Old Trafford if he agreed to snub the Blues. But Cole refused
and was transferred at the very last minute of Thursdays deadline
in exchange for £5million plus French defender William
Gallas.
Coles pal told Sunsport how Gunners boss Arsene Wenger agreed to
let Cole go, saying Real Madrid and Chelsea would be interested.
But Dein tried everything to keep him, feeling Chelsea should be
punished for having tried to tap up the England full-back. The pair
met at the training ground after the World Cup and the friend
revealed: Dein was really friendly and said We still want
you.
Ashley was adamant he was going, so Dein said they would try to
sell him to Manchester United or Newcastle.
Ashley could not see how he could work out a deal with United as
they had Gabriel Heinze. He told Dein he still wanted to go to
Chelsea and is so relieved the transfer has finally been
done.
