Nicolas Anelka told AFP yesterday that he had not spoken to London’s The Times, after an article appeared in the British newspaper quoting the French striker as saying his time at Chelsea was drawing to a close.

“Following the quotations attributed to me in an English newspaper, I’d like to categorically deny having given any interview, let alone spoken about my future,” Anelka told AFP.

“I’m under contract with Chelsea until the end of the season, with many playing commitments.”

The report in yesterday’s edition of The Times claimed Anelka was preparing to leave the club after slipping down the pecking order following the arrival of Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas.

“Chelsea has been the best part of my career and it’s been great playing and winning with terrific guys like Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda,” Anelka was quoted as saying.

“I was hoping to win another league title this season with Chelsea, but now, apparently, it is not to be.”

The French striker’s four-year contract will expire at the end of the current season and it has been reported that Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua are prepared to offer a lucrative salary to convince him to play with them.

He has reportedly also attracted interest from Milan and Anzhi Makhachkala, the Russian club who made Samuel Eto’o the highest paid player in the world in August.

A number of Major League Soccer clubs have also been linked with the forward, including New York Red Bulls, Los Angeles Galaxy, Philadelphia Union and Montreal Impact.

The former Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers star striker has started just three times in the Premier League this season, scoring once.