Essien issues strike threat

Lyon midfielder Michael Essien has announced that he is ready to go on strike.

The Premiership champions are desperate to land the powerful youngster but have thus far failed to stump up the asking price put forward by Lyon.

A figure of around £30 million has been mooted as the fee it would take to land the 22-year-old, but even with Roman Abramovich's millions, Chelsea are reticent to agree to Lyon's demands.

The West London big-spenders have already failed with two bids, and with a deal looking less and less likely to materialise, Essien has now threatened dramatic action.

Whilst Lyon are keen for a bidding war to ensue between Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid, the player has outlined his intentions to strike should he not be allowed to sign for Jose Mourinho.

"I am totally disappointed about what is happening and I feel very let down by Lyon,'' Essien told the Daily Mirror.

''This is turning into a nightmare for me and I cannot understand why they are acting this way.

"The club know what I want, they know I want to leave and I have kept them informed at every stage, but they are behaving very badly over this.

"I have made it clear to them that I will not play for them again.

''From now on I am training with the junior players and I will not take part in any first-team matches for them - they know that.

"Chelsea are the only team I wish to play for. I have heard the Lyon president saying other clubs from the English Premiership are interested in signing me, including Arsenal and Manchester United, but I have no desire to play for anyone else other than Chelsea.

"I will not go to another club, even Real Madrid. Chelsea want me and I want to play for them. That is why I am so disappointed with the situation.

"I feel they have let me down. They are telling me one thing then doing another and that is not healthy for me, the manager of Lyon or the rest of the squad.

''The sooner Lyon resolve this the better."

Chelsea are believed to be ready to offer around £22 million for Essien's services, but with a deadline of August 26 to conclude a deal, it is expected extensive negotiations will be made over the coming days.