Roma reject Emerson bid

Chelsea have had a £ 17.5 million bid for Brazil captain Emerson turned down by Roma, as the row between the two clubs over the transfer looks certain to escalate.

Roma's sporting director, Franco Baldini, today claimed Chelsea had made an offer for the 27-year-old midfielder, after saying yesterday that they had made an illegal approach for the player.

"We have refused a £17.5m offer from Chelsea," said Baldini. "The player wants to stay at Roma, but it is the club who will decide the player's future. Chelsea's bid, so far, is the most significant offer."

Baldini then went to claim that Emerson's agent has flown into London for talks despite the fact the two clubs have not yet agreed a fee.

"Chelsea have not stopped in their pursuit of Emerson, far from it. It seems they are continuing to go to the player directly.

"Indeed, Emerson's agent, Gilmar Veloz, is in London right now talking to Chelsea as we understand it.

"But nothing can happen without Roma's say so, and even if Emerson were to say that he wants the move, that doesn't mean we're going to let him go." If the Brazilian did sign for Chelsea, he would become the club's record signing, eclipsing the £17m arrival of Damien Duff last week.

The move would also take Claudio Ranieri's spending since the takeover of Roman Abramovich to a staggering £54.5m.

But Baldini began to backtrack on quotes attributed to him that Sven-Goran Eriksson was linked to the deal. There has been constant speculation linking the England coach and Chelsea's new Russian owner.

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport quoted Baldini as saying: "Eriksson has acted as an advisor. When I spoke to Abramovich on the phone, he said that for him, even heaven itself has a price."

However, when asked about this today, he said: "I don't know for sure if Eriksson has been advising Abramovich but it seems possible since he is a coach so well respected by everyone.

"As for the bit about heaven, that was just a joke on my part to illustrate the financial power of Abramovich."

Chelsea arrived back from Malaysia today and will continue their pre-season schedule with a game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.