PETRESCU REJECTS SAINTS SWITCH

Saints boss Glenn Hoddle was keen to sign the versatile defender, who played under him at Stamford Bridge, but the Romanian international decided against switching to The Dell.

"Dan Petrescu has turned down an £800,000 move to Southampton," revealed Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson. "It`s been going on for some time.

"Glenn Hoddle brought him to Chelsea and he`s a great admirer of Dan," he told ClubCall. "Unfortunately, although a deal has been agreed with Southampton, personal terms were not worked out, so it looks like it is not going to happen."

It could be argued that Petrescu`s versatility has hindered his progress with The Blues, and he has had several high-profile disputes with manager Gianluca Vialli over the squad rotation policy.

The former Sheffield Wednesday man is unlikely to have a long-term future with his current club, so it must be presumed that a move elsewhere, perhaps to the continent, could be forthcoming before the start of the new season.