Chelsea increase Parker offer

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Chelsea today made their third bid this month for Scott Parker, which Charlton are now considering.

Roman Abramovich's club have already had a "final" bid worth £7.5million, rising to £9m after 90 appearances, rejected.

But they have now gone back to Charlton with an improved offer for the England midfielder, who could become a Chelsea player in the next few days.

Charlton have stood firm so far and believe that the first two bids seriously undervalued Parker, who they consider to be one of the best young players in the country.

The football club chairman Martin Simons launched a broadside at Chelsea this week when he told Abramovich to "get lost".

However, Parker has been disappointed that his lucrative move was blocked after believing he had an agreement that would allow him to join one of the Premiership title contenders.

The 23-year-old has no get-out clause in his contract, which has more than four years left to run, but with the saga dragging on he has found it difficult to focus on his football. As a result, he was dropped from his side's 1-0 win at Everton last week and was sent home from training yesterday.

Chelsea are confident that their ability to pay huge transfer fees up front will enable them to do a deal .

A Chelsea source said: "We can pay a large percentage of the transfer fee up front which is increasingly rare these days and works in our favour.

"In the summer a lot of our deals were settled up front. If we agree a fee with Charlton then the discussion with the player will be very quick. It's a game of poker and there are still 10 days to go."

Claude Makelele has toothache and could miss tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Scarborough. There are also doubts over William Gallas and Adrian Mutu, who have both been ill.

 

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