Chelsea transfer news: John Terry offered chance to be reunited with Gianfranco Zola... in Qatar

Zola wants to sign Terry for his current club Al Arabi should he leave Chelsea at the end of the season

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 29 October 2015 10:34 GMT
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Chelsea defender John Terry
Chelsea defender John Terry

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Chelsea defender John Terry has been offered the chance to be reunited with his former team-mate Gianfranco Zola – if he chooses to join Qatar side Al Arabi.

Zola is currently in charge of the Qatari side having moved to the Middle East in July this year following an unsuccessful short spell with Italian’s Cagliari.

But with Terry’s long-term future at Chelsea in doubt having been dropped from the first team earlier this season and his contract up for renewal in the summer, Zola has admitted that he would be interested in attempting to lure him to Al Arabi.

"John Terry is a big player and Al Arabi is interested in big players so we will see what happens," Zola said.

"There is a chance because it is one of the places where people want to go. The quality of life is very high here.

"There are clubs that pay well for the players to come so I wouldn't be surprised if I see John Terry playing in this country maybe next year, maybe in two years I don't know exactly when.

"The connection is easy me and John played together and have a very high opinion of each other so it comes quite natural to do that.”

However, while Zola’s determination to bring a big name player of Terry’s calibre to Qatar is clear, he did reveal that no contact has been made with either the player or Chelsea. Al Arabi would be free to move for Terry in January should he enter the final six months of his contract.

"I cannot say that it is impossible because you never know. I can tell you there are no contacts right now, that’s for sure,” Zola added.

Former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola is currently manager of Qatari side Al Arabi
Former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola is currently manager of Qatari side Al Arabi (Getty Images)

"We will see because right now we are just month and a half into the season and I am very happy that I am coaching so I didn't even think about changing anybody.

"But in the future we will see. It could be one possibility."

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