By Mark Heys
January 7 2008

Bolton Wanderers have this evening turned down an sizeable offer beleived to be in the region of of £11 million from Premier League rivals Chelsea for the services of French international striker Nicolas Anelka.

Anelka has been the subject of much transfer speculation before and during the January transfer window despite stating on numerous occasions that he is happy to remain at the Reebok Stadium.

The 28-year old only signed a new contract at Bolton five months ago but this hasn't stopped the national media from trying to unsettle the player and engineer a move away from the Wanderers.

Only last week Anelka said that Bolton and Chelsea's chairmen where in discussions over a move but this was denied by Wanderers cheif Gary Megson after the weekend game with Sheffield United.

Anelka's absence from the United game prompted more unwanted speculation, even though the Frenchman would have probably been rested from the tie in any case.

Now, Chelsea have been the first to put in an offer and it remains to be seen what the future holds for a player who is currently one of the top five goalscorers in the top flight.

Bolton have a history of being a selling club with the likes of Alan Stubbs, Jason McAteer, Sasa Curcic, Alan Thompson, Per Frandsen, Nathan Blake, Claus Jensen, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Michael Ricketts all sold after performing well for the club but it seems as if this time Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside will be fighting hard to keep Anelka at the club.