Essien Saga Unfolds with a Deadlock

The deal to take Lyon midfield maestro Michael Essien to Chelsea seems to have hit a deadlock with both clubs tight lipped about the future of the 22-year old.

Lyon's president Jean-Michel Aulas seemed to have re-opened the debate last night by claiming he had again been contacted by Chelsea about the Ghanaian International.

Aulas last night told the club's website, www.olweb.fr: "It's been a difficult week. This evening, Michael is still a Lyon player. Chelsea seem to be forcing the issue but they are not doing what they need to.

"Ten minutes ago I would have told you that the deal was blocked and that (Chelsea chief executive) Peter Kenyon should return to London. Then the phone rang just now to suggest I meet (Chelsea owner) Roman Abramovich on Tuesday, I am in two minds.

"If I get a fax during the night with the price I have asked for exactly to the nearest centime then we will have a meeting."

Chelsea will still be keen to add Essien to their squad before the first Premiership fixture against Wigan Athletic. Aulas' meeting with Abramovich on Tuesday will be crucial, and should be the final straw at either end of the biggest transfer story of this summer, most probably the most prolonged in any summer except for Patrick Vieira on-off summers with Arsenal and Real Madrid.

The debate has not just affected affairs on Chelsea's side of the channel. Lyon Manager Gerrard Houllier is standing firm in not playing any player whose future is unresolved.

The former Liverpool manager told the club's website www.olweb.fr: "I consider he is not yet ready to play a match until his situation is resolved completely."

The sheer grit and determination of both clubs this summer has been gripping, like watching two 5 year olds fight over possession of a brand new toy. Chelsea seem to have their sights firmly set on Essien after failing in a sudden £32 million pound raid for Liverpool's midfield dynamo Steven Gerrard.

If Chelsea get their man, it will add to their already flourishing squad littered with youth, talent and experience. Mourinho has already added to his squad this summer with the signings of Asier Del Horno from Athletic Bilbao, and Shaun Wright Phillips from Manchester City. There will be no more eager a spectator to Tuesday's show down talks between Abramovich and Aulas than Mourinho, where the Lyon president will be keen to remind Chelsea that possession is 9/10's of the law!