Lyon reveal Real interest in Essien

French champions Lyon said a 25 million euro bid they turned down for Ghana midfielder Mickael Essien came from Real Madrid and not Chelsea.

Club president Jean-Michel Aulas said five days ago that he had turned down a 25 million euro bid when asked if the English champions had made an offer.

But on Wednesday, Aulas revealed: "That bid was from another club."
 
It now transpires the offer came from Real Madrid.

"We have had no offer from Chelsea," he added.

Lyon are meanwhile set to sign Norway striker John Carew from Turkish club Besiktas after failing to tempt Czech striker Milan Baros from European champions Liverpool.

Carew, who was in Lyon last week, was lined up in 2003 but then coach Paul le Guen vetoed the move and the club instead signed Brazil striker Giovane Elber from Bayern Munich.

Lyon terminated the contract of the injury-prone Elber in January and he joined Borussia Monchengladbach.

New Lyon coach Gerard Houllier has told Aulas he is fine with the move and the tall Norwegian was expected to undergo a medical on Friday.