REAL MADRID are on the verge of bidding for Ashley Cole after he rejected a new Chelsea deal. The England star, 28, has turned down the offer which would leave him £30,000-a-week short of the club's top earners.
Cole, signed from Arsenal three years ago, wants to commit to the Blues but the contract has to be right.
A source said: "Ashley loves Chelsea and is genuinely excited about working with new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
"He wants to give the best years of his career to the club but the deal has to be right for such an important contract.
"He needs to feel as valued as any of the club's other top players."
Cole, currently on £70,000 a week, also interests European champions Barcelona.
But it is big-spending Madrid who have stepped up their interest in the left-back, who has won 71 England caps.
Madrid president Florentine Perez is aware the club's defence needs strengthening and new boss Manuel Pellegrini is a long-term admirer of Cole.