Gallas close to new deal

William Gallas is close to agreeing a new contract at Chelsea, according to his agent.

The French defender has three years remaining on his deal but the club want to tie him to a longer one.

Gallas's current contract includes get-out clauses that allow him to leave for £7.5million this season, £6m next and £3.5m the year after, a scenario Chelsea are desperate to avoid. The 25-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal, but his agent, Pape Diouf, insists the player wants to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Diouf said: "We are close to an agreement. Lots of other clubs are interested but William wants to stay. He is happy at Chelsea and has great respect for their coach, Claudio Ranieri. It's up to Chelsea.

"I think they are waiting to see if they qualify for the Champions League, but I hope we'll reach an agreement soon. If not, I'll take him elsewhere."

Diouf added that Gallas had been promised an improved contract by Chelsea when his client arrived at the club two years ago.

He said: "I was told that if he improved and progressed he would get a new contract. That has happened and we're waiting for a new deal. I think he will stay because he is necessary for Chelsea's system."