Chelsea rebuff PSV approach for Alex

PSV Eindhoven have confirmed launching a bid to take Chelsea's unsettled Brazilian defender Alex on loan.

Alex was reported to have handed in transfer request at Stamford Bridge this week but the Blues insisted "no transfer request has been received from any player" and have rebuffed PSV's approach for the player.

PSV director Jan Reker said: "We contacted Chelsea, but the answer was clear: they don't want to let him go under any circumstances."

Alex, who played at PSV from 2004 to 2007, has become discontented at Chelsea after being left on the sidelines for much of this season, with Branislav Ivanovic often preferred in place of the injured Ricardo Carvalho.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's Premier League match with West Ham United on Sunday assistant coach Ray Wilkins said Europe's elite would have to pay big money to land any of their star players as they don't want to sell.

"If anybody was to come in for any of our players in January, knowing the quality of player we have, it is going to cost them a lot of money," Wilkins said.

"You want players at the club who are totally committed, but (manager Luiz) Felipe (Scolari) has not sat on the fence at all. He has actually stated that if players don't want to be at Chelsea then they will leave - but it will only be for a lot of money. "I expect Alex to be here at the start of February. The way he has trained as well has not given me the impression he wants 'off' in January.

"He has been a major part of the side in the last couple of games and he has done very well for us.''