Zola scored 80 goals for Chelsea Chelsea mourn Zola loss

Chelsea have failed in a desperate bid to re-sign Gianfranco Zola, days after allowing the striker a free transfer to Italian side Cagliari.

New Blues owner Roman Abramovich called Cagliari president Massimo Cellino to ask him to release Zola in exchange for a fee, according to reports.

"Abramovich contacted me on Wednesday and offered me �1.25m to tear up Zola's contract," Cellino told the Sun newspaper.

"The following morning I got another call from Abramovich - this time offering me �1m.

"But I told him no straight away and even joked about him offering me less money than the night before."