Lyon reject Chelsea bid of 25 million euros for Essien

PARIS, June 20 - French champions Olympique Lyon have rejected a bid of 25 million euros ($30.54 million) from Chelsea for midfielder Michael Essien.

"There's quite strong pressure from Chelsea, the only club to have officially submitted a bid so far (for Essien)," Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told the club's official website on Monday.

"We will do everything we can to keep him. He wants to stay and we count on him for next season.

"We have already turned down an offer of 25 million euros."