Soccer News of Thursday, 23 June 2005

Source: --

Lyon reveal Real Madrid interest in Essien

LYON, France -- French champions Lyon said a 25 million euro bid they turned down for midfielder Michael Essien came from Real Madrid and not Chelsea.

Club president Jean-Michel Aulas said five days ago that he had turned down a 25 million euro bid when asked if the English champions had made an offer.

But on Wednesday, Aulas revealed: "That bid was from another club."

It now transpires the offer came from Real Madrid.

"We have had no offer from Chelsea," he added.