Chelsea's pursuit of Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka remains deadlocked.

The Independent says the west London club have told their Lancashire counterparts that they may well look elsewhere if no agreement can be reached before the weekend. Chelsea have offered £11m for the 28-year-old while Bolton are continuing to hold out for £15m.

Anelka is understood to have seen the Bolton manager, Gary Megson, again yesterday to tell him that he wishes to leave the club. Bolton are still hopeful that another club, like Manchester City, will force the bidding higher, but it appears that they will be faced with a take-it-or-leave-it offer from Chelsea, who are convinced that no other club are serious about Anelka.

Grant's need for a striker was obvious in Tuesday's victory over Everton when even Shaun Wright-Phillips proved a more effective targetman in attack for Chelsea than Claudio Pizarro. Chelsea have told Bolton that they have other names on their list and will move on if a deal for Anelka cannot be resolved soon.