SPORT

- reported by Osiris.

Ashley Cole has moved from Arsenal to Chelsea, with Blues defender William Gallas heading in the opposite direction.

The deal was confirmed minutes before the transfer window closed on Friday midnight, putting an end to perhaps most protracted transfer saga this season. It all started when the Arsenal defender met up with Chelsea executives sometime in November last year in what was an illegal meeting. Cole and Chelsea were subsequently charged and fined for violating FA rules on negotiating transfer moves. In his soon-to-be-released autobiography, Ashley Cole criticized the club for the way the board treated him during that time.

William Gallas, on the other hand, fell out with manager Jose Mourinho after failing to report for duty during Chelsea's pre-season training in US, and was omitted from the first-team.

It is believed that Chelsea have paid 5 million pounds plus Gallas for the England defender. Ashley Cole expressed his happiness after the success of his transfer, "I'm very happy to have my dream come true, but at the same time I feel sad to leave my team-mates who have worked hard together all these years. I am looking forward to the new challenges ahead and meeting my new team-mates in the changing room!"



Ashley Cole has walked away from Arsenal for good.








Chelsea are now refuting claims that Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon are not on good terms regarding the departure of Gallas. An insider source told Rotters International that Mourinho had a 'special relationship' with the French defender, but Kenyon 'ruined everything' by selling Gallas behind Mourinho's back. "He has a hot bod!" our source claimed to have heard from the coach. The club maintains that both men are still on good terms and remain in constant contact.




French hot bod?








Arsenal has also swapped winger Jose Antonio Reyes for Real Madrid's Julio Baptista for an undisclosed fee. Reyes had expressed his desire to return to Spain weeks ago after failing to get accustomed to the English way of life since he arrived in London in 2004.

"I miss my home and my family. I also cannot watch my favourite bull-fighting exhibitions here in London. Now I am glad that I can return to Spain, and I must be the happiest man in the world!"

Wenger is pleased to have Baptista on his team, having failed to sign the Brazilian last season. "Julio Baptista will be a great addition to our squad. He is a powerful young international and is a versatile footballer who can operate both in midfield and as a striker. He has shown his potential over the past few seasons in Spain with both Real Madrid and Sevilla and we're looking forward to him joining us. While welcoming Julio we would like to wish Jose the best of luck for his time in Spain."



"Imagine I'm wearing an Arsenal jersey and carrying a trophy."

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