Dalla Bona's No to Italy

Chelsea's Sam Dalla Bona turned down a £5million move to Italian side Venezia last night after rejecting their £7,000-a-week offer - almost double his present wages.

Dalla Bona, 20, the former captain of Italy's youth team, made 28 starts last season - all following the arrival of coach Claudio Ranieri - and scored two Premiership goals.

However, he has declined to extend his contract, which has two years remaining, and Chelsea fear he might allow the deal to run out and leave on a free transfer in 2003.

Following the £11million capture of Frank Lampard, it is clear that Chelsea are committed to rebuilding with the English base that Ranieri declared was necessary.

Lampard's former club, West Ham, are back in the hunt for two England players.

Manager Glenn Roeder hopes to sign goalkeeper David James from Aston Villa and midfielder Ray Parlour from Arsenal.