Chelsea chase Ayala

Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Saturday that the big-spending Premiership outfit were keen to lure Ayala to Stamford Bridge.

The reports suggested The Blues were plotting a £10 million raid for the no-nonsense stopper during January's transfer window.

The Che's general director Manuel Llorente has now confirmed that Chelsea have expressed an interest in Ayala but warned The Blues could face stiff competition to snare the South American hard man.

"It is certain," affirmed Llorente to Marca. "There is interest from Chelsea in Ayala but they are not the only team that have asked about him.

"There is interest in Ayala from several important teams."

During the summer, both Barcelona and Real Madrid were eager to sign the 30-year-old, who boasts a reputation for being a rugged defender who takes no prisoners.

But the Spanish giants were unable to tempt Valencia into selling Ayala, despite the centre half hinting he was keen to move to Camp Nou.

Ayala has since appeared to end any uncertainty surrounding his future by penning a contract which keeps him at the club until 2007.

Chelsea, though, are clearly trying to test both Valencia, and Ayala's, resolve by registering their interest in the former Milan defender.

Though Blues boss Claudio Ranieri does not have a shortage of quality centre halves on his books, he is not resting on his laurels and, with Roman Abramovich's blank chequebook to back him, is ready to return to his old club to snare Ayala.