Chelsea capture £15m Anelka | News | Guardian Unlimited Football

Chelsea capture £15m Anelka
French striker signs 4½-year deal and could feature as soon as tomorrow against Tottenham

Tom Bryant
Friday January 11, 2008
Guardian Unlimited

Chelsea have finally completed the signing of Bolton's Nicolas Anelka after the two clubs agreed a £15m fee. The French striker, who has signed a 4½-year deal, could be in the side to face Tottenham as early as tomorrow.

The London club, seeking to bolster their attack after Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou's departures to the African Cup of Nations, had initially been frustrated in their pursuit of the 28-year-old. Their opening £11m was rejected by Bolton, who held out for their full asking price for their top scorer.

"Chelsea and Bolton can confirm that terms have been agreed between the clubs for the transfer of Nicolas Anelka," read a Chelsea statement.

Anelka had reportedly told Bolton manager Gary Megson earlier this week that he wanted to leave the Reebok, and said that it would be "a dream" to move to Stamford Bridge. "For Nico, it is very important he finds a club that will allow him to express himself at the highest level," said his adviser Doug Pingisi. "Chelsea are a club that are still involved in every competition, particularly the Champions League."

The Chelsea manager Avram Grant is also hoping to finalise the transfer Lokomotiv Moscow's Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic for £10m and he hopes international clearance will be granted next week.

Chelsea have been further boosted by news that Petr Cech could be fit to face Spurs. The 25-year-old keeper completed a training session at the club's Cobham base yesterday after injuring his hip in December. "Recently I have been training hard, returning to fitness and the injury has reacted very well," he told Chelsea TV.

Frank Lampard has also returned to training. The midfielder, whose thigh injury has ruled him out since Boxing Day, has been pencilled in to return for the game against Birmingham in eight days time.