England international Cole is expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, leading to suggestions that the Blues would move for Cameroonian Assou-Ekotto.

However, Assou-Ekotto told Sky Sports: "I have a contract until 2015 with Spurs and I do not know if they want to sell me, so for me it is paper talk."

Cole has been linked with Ligue 1 big-spenders Paris Saint-Germain, while Southampton teenager Luke Shaw is another reported as a potential replacement.

Since moving to White Hart Lane in 2006, Assou-Ekotto has made 186 appearances for Spurs in all competitions, scoring four goals.