Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool hopes dented as Seydou Doumbia opens CSKA contract talks

Posted Monday, November 17, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

Seydou Doumbia has started contract talks with CSKA Moscow, delivering a body blow to several of the Premier League's leading clubs.

The Ivory Coast international could have been available for a cut-price £15m in January, prompting interest from Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham.

The 26-year-old, who's current deal expires in 2016, has scored nine goals in 14 games this season for CSKA - including three against Manchester City as the Russian outfit severely damaged Manuel Pellegrini's side's Champions League hopes.

Doubia came close to a move to Chelsea during the summer but the Blues were unable to agree a fee but injury issues had seen CSKA prepared to lower their asking price.

CONTRACT TALKS: Seydou Doumbia put Manchester City to the sword in the Champions League

But his recent form and growing interest means they now want to get top dollar for the striker, with the Mail on Sunday reporting they would want £25m.

Doumbia's agent Jean Bernard Beytrison said: "We are currently in negotiations over a new contract."

"There is plenty of interest in Seydou from England plus clubs in Spain, Germany and Italy."

"He is a goalscorer and there aren't many of them around."

"However, he is contracted to CSKA and clubs will have to pay their fee."