Chelsea are ready to use their financial muscle to outbid Manchester City in a £30million race for Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka. Blues boss Avram Grant wants the France forward to strengthen his attack at Stamford Bridge and he could also become a long-term replacement for Didier Drogba if he leaves in the summer.Sven-Goran Eriksson is keen to install former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Anelka at another of his former clubs by signing him for City where cash is not a problem.
The real winners will be Bolton, who hope to hit the jackpot as Chelsea and City are drawn into an auction for the sharpshooter who has also been linked with Manchester United.
The Daily Mirror insists Anelka will leave Bolton if the bidding reaches £15m in the January transfer window and insiders say he is also looking for a contract until 2011 and £4million a year in wages.
The £30m total cost in transfer fees and wages is a huge bill but both City and Chelsea can afford to make the payments.