PSG and Real Madrid set to open talks with Chelsea's Ashley Cole

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are set to open talks with Ashley Cole’s representatives in the next week, over a possible free-transfer when his contract expires next summer.

Cole is free to talk to foreign clubs from Tuesday, and PSG and Real are reported to be wasting no time in offering the England left-back a 3 year contract.

The 32 year-old may wish to delay any final decision on his future in the hope Chelsea could change their minds and offer him an extended stay, or wait until the end of the season to talk to the Manchester Clubs who are said to be keen on him.

Manchester United enquired about the 99-cap England international last summer after failing to agree a deal for Leighton Baines, and may wish to follow up that interest.

Chelsea are said to be interested in signing Baines from Everton in January, with a £15million bid expected to rock the Merseysider’s resolve to keep him.

Chelsea have also been linked with Southampton’s 17 year-old prodigy Luke Shaw and Spurs Benoit Assou-Ekotto as possible replacements for Cole. If the Blues were to sign Shaw, it would mean he would play understudy to Ryan Bertrand, a huge compliment to the 23 year-old who has been working hard in wait for his stint in the first-team.

I reckon we should just keep the best left-back available, Cole would be staying if I was in charge…