Ashley Cole transfer latest: Left-back heading to Italy for talks with Roma

The left-back is out of contract after leaving Chelsea and the Italian club are favourites to secure his signature

Saturday 05 July 2014 11:42 BST

Ashley Cole salutes the fans on his last game for Chelsea (GETTY IMAGES)

Ashley Cole is heading to Italy for talks with Roma over a two-year deal, according to reports.

The 33-year-old is a free agent after leaving Chelsea following an eight-year spell at Stamford Bridge and has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and a host of MLS franchises.

But it is now thought that Roma, who will play in the Champions League next season after finishing in second position in Serie A, are favourites to secure his signature.

The Daily Mail say that Cole is due to fly in to Rome for talks with Roma officials to discuss a two-year contract, although there is no reason to suggest that a deal will be struck imminently.

Cole has been on an extended holiday in the USA following his omission from England's World Cup squad and subsequent international retirement, and it was thought that he may be tempted to join a club over the other side of the Atlantic.

Cole, who won 107 caps for England before announcing his retirement after failing to get into the World Cup squad, played more than 300 games for Chelsea, winning eight major trophies for the Blues.

Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

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1/9Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Paul Pogba

Former Manchester United midfielder was spotted in west London setting the rumour mill into overdrive. The classy French midfielder, still just 21, impressed at the World Cup and has been linked with a blockbuster £60m move to Stamford Bridge, despite the recent arrival of Cesc Fabregas. However, he is also linked with a move to Manchester City as a potential replacement for Yaya Toure.

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Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Adrien Rabiot

The talented teen put clubs in Europe on alert after rejecting a contract offer from Paris Saint-Germain. Chelsea made a move for the Frenchman in January and have gone back in for him, even though he is highly rated by PSG coach Laurent Blanc.

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Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Sami Khedira

The German midfielder missed five months for Real Madrid's season with a knee injury and has played just 15 games this term. With Madrid reportedly interested in signing new players in central midfield, Khedira's future at the Bernabeu could be at an end. The 27-year-old is interesting Arsenal, but should Chelsea go in for him too, they would be getting a player that Mourinho knows well and real quality in front of the back four, not dissimilar to club legend Claude Makelele.

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Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Yaya Toure

An outside bet, of course, but with all the drama surrounding the Toure and Manchester City recently, Chelsea could swoop. A powerhouse of a midfielder with a surprisingly deft touch and devastating skill at the dead ball, the 31-year-old would be huge assent to any team in the world. Toure cost City £24million in 2010, so any offer would have to huge from Chelsea if they are to persuade the Sky Blues to sell to a title rival.

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Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Paulinho

Tottenham's summer signing hasn't quite lived up to the form he reached in Brazil's Confederations Cup victory in 2013 and struggled at the World Cup, but he has still performed well enough to have Chelsea and Real Madrid reportedly interested in acquiring his services. The 25-year-old would fit in well at Stamford Bridge given the Blues' strong Brazilian contingent already. Paulinho had a mixed first season in the Premier League, scored six goals with three assists last season and not the return Spurs were hoping for, and the lure of Champions League football could persuade the midfielder to switch London clubs.

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Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Fabio Coentrao

With Ashley Cole having joined Roma and Ryan Bertrand also likely to leave, Jose Mourinho will be in need of a quality, experienced left-back and one possibility is Real Madrid's Coentrao. The 26-year-old came close to joining Manchester United in January and is likely to lose his starting place at Madrid when Marcelo is fully fit again next season. Carlo Ancelotti denies any rumours that the Portuguese defender will leave but if the right offer were to be made by Chelsea, he could be on his way to London and nail down a starting role with ease.

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Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Edinson Cavani

After a season of playing in the shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG, Cavani looks likely to leave the French side after just one year and become the main man at an English club next season. Chelsea remain interested in the Uruguayan but Chelsea are despite a deal for Diego Costa already complete, but may face competition from Manchester United. The 27-year-old cost PSG €64.5million last summer, so any offer from Mourinho would take a large slice of his funds but with his striking power and goals an almost guarantee, it could be a risk worth going for.

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Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Radamel Falcao

The Colombian striker did not regain fitness in time for the World Cup but it has given him a good chance to weigh up his future. Seemingly always in transfer rumours despite his €60m switch to Monaco last summer, Falcao is a long-term target of the Blues, though Diego Costa has filled the previously vacant No 9 role. The 28-year-old lit up La Liga during his two seasons with Atlectico Madrid but, mainly because of injury, has failed to live up to his price tag in France. If unrest reports are true, Chelsea could attempt an offer.

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Chelsea: Potential summer transfer targets

Raphael Varane

Reportedly unhappy at Real Madrid due to his low wages in comparison to his team-mates, the centre back has been linked with a move away. Chelsea are reportedly one of the clubs interested in the France international with Jose Mourinho seeing him as a long-term replacement for John Terry.

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He won the league and cup double in 2010, the Champions League in 2012 and the Europa League in 2013.

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