ASHLEY COLE has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Real Madrid by telling Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti he wants to quit the club.
Cole had a 20-minute heart-to-heart with Ancelotti at Chelsea's training ground after reporting back last week.
And the 29-year-old England full-back stressed he feels he needs to leave the club now and move abroad to link up with former boss Jose Mourinho in the wake of his marriage break-up with pop star wife Cheryl and lurid stories about his personal life.
A source close to Chelsea told Sport of the World: "It was a very amicable meeting, but Ashley made it clear that because of his personal situation he feels it is in his best interests to leave the club.
"He told Ancelotti that he will be very sad to leave and that it had been a privilege playing for the club during such a successful time in its history."
Spanish giants Real have been monitoring Cole's situation closely and are now poised to launch a £25million bid.
It is understood Real and former Chelsea boss Mourinho has been very supportive of Cole following Cheryl's divorce announcement, although there is no suggestion he has made any formal overtures to the player. Attention
Ancelotti is believed to have been sympathetic to Cole's position, but does not want him to leave. Our source added: "Ashley was told that he would have to go and see the chairman, which he hasn't done yet and he has not handed in a formal transfer request.
"He knows Ancelotti wants him to stay, but he feels that moving abroad is the only way he can escape the attention after what happened with Cheryl and the other stories about his private life."
Cole has been criticised for not visiting Cheryl, who is currently recovering from malaria, and has reportedly been very solemn in training.
Cole is due to play for Chelsea in tonight's friendly against Frankfurt in Germany.
Cole's agent David Manasseh said: "I have no comment to make."
The Cole situation could be a first test for Txiki Begiristain, the former Barcelona football director Chelsea hope to bring to Stamford Bridge this month.
He feels that moving abroad is the only way he can escape the attention after what happened with Cheryl and the other stories about his private life."
Think the clue is in the following sentence.He feels that moving abroad is the only way he can escape the attention after what happened with Cheryl and the other stories about his private life."