CHELSEA’S TITLE CELEBRATIONS HAVE been brought to a premature end by William Gallas’s disclosure that he wants to leave the club in the summer. The France defender will be offered a lucrative extension to the year remaining on his contract but is unlikely to sign, leaving Chelsea little option other than to cash in while they can.

Gallas mentioned AC Milan and Barcelona as he spoke of his desire for a fresh challenge, but Juventus are his most likely destination. It is understood that the Italian clubs have reached an informal agreement whereby they will not target the same players this summer and, with Juventus holding back in the race to sign Massimo Oddo, the Lazio defender, they will be free to sign Gallas.

Chelsea are desperate to keep hold of a defender who has served them well for five years, but José Mourinho, the manager, will not keep any players against their will.

“I have not signed anything (with Chelsea) and I don’t know if I will stay,” Gallas said. “I am a man who wants to win everything and I want to do that in different countries. Maybe next season I will be somewhere else. I need to speak with the manager. In my mind I am confused because maybe I want to leave. I have been five years here and maybe that is enough.

“When I started in football I told myself that I wanted to play in every country — in Spain and Italy and England and France — and you are fortunate when you are a footballer that you have the opportunity to play in a different countries, to play against another people. I am someone who wants to play in another championship. Ask my agent on what is my news. Barcelona and Milan, we will see.”

Gallas’s desire to leave is a bitter blow for Chelsea because he has been arguably their most consistent performer all season. As well as for his pace, the 28-year-old is valued for his flexibility, excelling at centre back and full back on both sides, which enables Mourinho to rotate his back four around him.

If he is allowed to leave, Chelsea may have to sign two players to replace him, leading to more comings and goings than Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, outlined yesterday. “It will be three in and three out,” he said. “One of those is clearly Michael Ballack and we hope we can get that done before the World Cup.”