Ashley Cole could escape to Barcelona or Real

Ashley Cole could soon be taking his wild ways – and his white Y-fronts – to Spain, according to a report in today's Sun. England's answer to Tiger Woods has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, with allegations that he has slept with five women behind his wife's back. Now he's set to "escape from his personal problems" with a lucrative move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The Sun says both Spanish giants are keeping a close eye on the situation and are "ready to meet" Chelsea's asking price of £25m as well as guaranteeing the player a weekly wage of £150,000. The paper also quotes a close friend of Cole's as saying: "Ashley is having a rough time at the moment. If he and Cheryl get divorced, why would he want to stay in this country?"

As The First Post has reported, Geordie songbird Cheryl Cole is alleged to be seeking a divorce from Cole after revelations linking him with a string of women. The latest episode involved American Ann Corbitt, who described how the Blues' left-back began his seduction by texting a friend of hers a photo of himself "wearing a disgusting pair of tiny whities [Y-fronts]. He looked really skinny and was smoking a cigarette. I thought it was really gross." Nonetheless she went on to enjoy four hours of passion with Cole, describing him as "a creative and adventurous lover".

The Mirror also reports that the 29-year-old Cole could soon be on his way out of Stamford Bridge, apparently unhappy that he could be fined £200,000 [some reports have put it higher, at £400,000] by Blues owner Roman Abramovich for damaging the club's image. The paper says that Cole "feels he is unfairly being made an example of".

The Mirror says that Barcelona are favourites to sign Cole and "have been sniffing around the left-back" for years.  With Barcelona's recent scandalous attempts to tap up Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas revealing their lack of morals, a move to the Catalan club would appear a match made in heaven for "love rat" Cole.

If Cole does leave for Spain he will miss out on forming a left sided partnership with Angel Di Maria at Chelsea. According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo the Londoners are now favourites to secure the signature of Benfica's biggest star in a €40m deal this summer.

The 22-year old Argentinian has also attracted interest from the Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Manchesters City and United.

Everton are determined to hang on to teenage sensation Jack Rodwell at all costs, says a report in the Mirror. The 18-year-old, already christened "the next Wayne Rooney", has been the revelation of the Premier League this season, and the Toffees' manager David Moyes knows it. According to the paper, Rodwell has been the "subject of interest" from several clubs in recent weeks, and his super strike in Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Manchester United has only heightened that interest.

Ironically it's Manchester United who are keenest to sign Rodwell, an England Under 21 star destined to break into the senior squad before long, with Sir Alex Ferguson said to be a "confirmed admirer", but Moyes is adamant he's staying put.

"The boy is going to be a good player in time but it's all potential and we have to bring it along at the right pace - and Everton is the right place for that to happen," explained Moyes.

"We've known of quite a lot of attention towards Rodwell for a while. But it doesn't worry me quite so much with Jack because we've been through it before when Wayne Rooney left. I don't think we were quite ready for Wayne when he came on the scene but we're certainly ready for Jack and our team is good enough to keep bigger suitors away."

Moyes went on to say that if would be a foolish decision on the part of Rodwell to leave Goodison for a big club where he might play only the odd game. At Goodison he'll get regular game time. "The young lads get a chance at Everton," said Moyes. "We don't have a massive squad and they know that they will be given a run in the team, because this club does more than most to develop talent."

Finally, Arsenal have joined the race to sign PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, according to Sportsweek. The 23-year-old Dutch international is highly regarded for his skills as an attacking midfielder with recent reports linking him to Chelsea and Barcelona – though which footballer isn't linked with the craven Catalans these days?

The player's agent, Rob Jansen, told Sportsweek that his contract with PSV expires soon and Afellay is "not in a hurry to renew". Jansen went on to say that a move abroad was a distinct possibility and the Premier League a likely destination. ·