The Independent says Anelka, 28, is understood to have told the Bolton manager, Gary Megson, before the game against Liverpool on 2 December that he wanted to leave the club which he joined last year for a record £8m transfer fee.

His key anxiety about Chelsea, who play Liverpool tonight in the Carling Cup quarter-finals, is that he will be left out of the team when Didier Drogba returns which will in turn affect his chances of being picked for Raymond Domenech's France squad for the Euro 2008 finals.

Dealing with the Anelka brothers, Didier and Claude, has been regarded as stressful by some of the seven clubs for which he has played. Increasingly, however, Anelka relies instead on a best friend called Doug - attempts to find a surname have proved fruitless - for advice and representation.

The Frenchman is said to be so focused on this summer's Euro 2008 tournament that even if the clubs were able to agree terms he would still hold out for a commitment that he will play a full role in the season.