France defender William Gallas says he wants to leave Chelsea for AC Milan but the English champions are refusing to let him go.

"Milan are interested in me and I'm interested in going there," Gallas told Friday's issue of French sports daily L'Equipe.

"I have taken my decision", added the 28-year-old, who joined the London club from Olympique Marseille in 2001. "I want to leave Chelsea.

"For five years I gave everything for a club I love and I respect," he added. "But after France and England I want to discover another league. I want to keep improving...I'm nearly 29 and this is the right moment to change clubs."

Unfortunately for Gallas, Chelsea have made it clear they would not release him.

"Chelsea don't want to let me go," he said. "That's a big problem. We have to find a solution."