Chelsea reject Man City Terry bid

Chelsea have confirmed they have "completely rejected" an offer from Manchester City for their club captain and England skipper John Terry.

City also had an approach for the 28-year-old turned down in late 2008.

"It was made clear, for the second time, that we would not entertain any conversation on the subject," read a statement on Chelsea's website.

The size of City's offer for Terry, who is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2012, was not revealed.

"We would like to make it clear, and we will not do so again, that John is not for sale," added the club statement.

Terry has played 405 games in 12 years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 35 goals in the process, with chief executive Peter Kenyon describing him as "part of the heart and soul of Chelsea" when City last made a bid.

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" Time and time again he has shown his love of Chelsea, and his pride to play in the Blue shirt "

A product of Chelsea's youth academy, Terry has captained the club to two Premier League titles, two FA Cup successes and two League Cup wins.

But success on the European stage has so far eluded Terry, although he came within a successful penalty of lifting the Champions League trophy against Manchester United in 2008.

Despite the fact that the signature of centre-back Terry looks likely to elude them, Manchester City's billionaire owners the Abu Dhabi United Group seem determined to spend in order to attract football's top names.

Since taking over at Eastlands the group have signalled their ambition, and wealth, with a string of signings including the £32.5m capture of Brazilian international Robinho from Real Madrid last August.

This summer the club have already added striker Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn for £18m and Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry for £12m to their ranks.

City have also been heavily linked with former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez and Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o as boss Mark Hughes tries to put together a squad capable of challenging Chelsea and breaking into the Premier League's top four.

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