Manchester City made a failed £30 million offer for Chelsea captain John Terry last night.

The Daily Mail says Stamford Bridge officials released a statement after confirming that a bid had been made in person by City chief executive Garry Cook.

A club statement issued last night said: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has completely rejected an offer from Manchester City for John Terry.

"It was made clear to City, for the second time following another approach last season, that we would not entertain any conversation on the subject. At that time John also reiterated his total commitment to Chelsea. We would like to make clear, and will not do so again, that John is not for sale."

That Cook offered such a derisory sum further amazed Chelsea. When Bayern Munich are demanding £65m for Franck Ribery and Cristiano Ronaldo has moved to Real Madrid for £80m, and when City are prepared to pay vast sums for players like Robinho and Samuel Eto'o, less than £30million for one of the world's best centre halves seems low.

But the money on offer could yet prove tempting when the richest club in England would be prepared to almost double his current £130,000-aweek wage. Terry is already the highest paid player at Stamford Bridge but City could take him into an elite occupied only by players such as Ronaldo and Kaka at Real Madrid.