Charlton reject final Parker offer
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Charlton say they have turned down a second and "final" 7.5-million-pound ($13.57m) offer from Chelsea for midfielder Scott Parker.
Officials were unimpressed when wealthy London rivals Chelsea increased their original bid by 500,000 pounds, plus further payments based on appearances.
"Following dialogue between the two clubs, Charlton informed Chelsea that this had also been rejected," Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said in a statement on the club's website.
"As Chelsea had made it clear this was to be their final offer, the Addicks now consider the matter to be closed and that Scott Parker will remain a Charlton player.
"The board unanimously felt that both were unacceptable offers for the best young midfield player in the country."
He added: "Furthermore, the offer of further sums when Scott had made up to 90 appearances is not, in our opinion, something we can realistically budget to ever receive.
"Chelsea are one of the teams that rotate their playing squad and it could take several years, if at all, before such monies become payable.
"It has been an unsettling period both for us and Scott Parker, and brought us unwanted added pressure at a time when the focus should be on the excellent achievements we have made on the field.
"However, by turning down Chelsea's final offer, we can hopefully put this behind us and concentrate on maintaining our position of fourth place in the Premiership."
Parker was left out of the team last weekend but Charlton still managed to win 1-0 at Everton without him.
They are fourth in the standings on 37 points, nine behind third-placed Chelsea and four clear of Newcastle United in fifth.
