Cole publishers could delay transfer deal
Paul Kelso
Friday August 11, 2006
The Guardian
Chelsea's attempts to prise Ashley Cole from Arsenal for less than £25m could be unwittingly undermined by the publishers of the player's forthcoming autobiography. Stamford Bridge insiders are hopeful that Cole's unvarnished version of the tapping-up scandal, which will be highly critical of Arsenal's vice-chairman David Dein, will make the player's position untenable and hasten his departure for figure close to the £16m currently on the table. But the publishers Headline are likely to put back publication, currently scheduled for August 28, until a deal is done, a move that could take publication date beyond the transfer deadline.
Article continues
Sources close to Headline already suspect Arsenal insiders of attempting to sabotage the book. Last week Arsenal refused permission for club pictures to be used in the book, prompting a redesign. Now critical reviews have appeared on the online bookshop Amazon.com and it is suspected they may be part of an orchestrated knocking campaign by supporters. It is only 18 days before the book is due to be published and only a handful of people associated with Headline and Cole have seen the drafts.
Arsenal emphatically deny any involvement and are deeply resentful about Cole's behaviour having already rewarded his dalliance with Chelsea with a £70,000-a-week contract.
阿仙奴管理層玩野
高爾本自傳8月28日要出, 得番18日
但阿記唔畀佢用球會相
搞到要redesign, 甚至可能要延期
等個deal完左先出
