Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas is adamant that midfielder Michael Essien will not be moving to Chelsea.

The Lyon chief indicated yesterday that he was prepared to meet Roman Abramovich in a last ditch effort to agree a deal, but that meeting has now been scrapped and Aulas claims that Essien will now be offered a new contract extension.

“England has the Olympics but Chelsea will not get Michael Essien,” Aulas told the club’s official website.

“Michael Essien is, and will remain, a Lyon player.

“We are going to make concrete the contract proposition made and accepted by his agent, which is very rewarding for the player because it comprises not only a major pay rise, but also an extension of his contract until 2009.

“I will invite Michael and his agent to come and see me in St Tropez.

“This business (with Chelsea) is finished and there will be no meeting on Tuesday.

“Since everything will quickly return to normal, and that Michael is a great player and a good boy, I only see good things ahead for him and for Lyon,” Aulas continued.

“In my dream, I see him scoring a header in the Champions League final at the Stade de France against Chelsea, and I see him winning the Ballon d’Or.”