Frank Lampard agrees to rejoin Mourinho at Inter Milan

[K.Dub]

£7 million?

[Elano]

Inter begin Lampard negotiations

The Serie A club are believed to have sent a fax to Chelsea to begin the process of reuniting the 30-year-old with former Blues coach Jose Mourinho.

Earlier this month, Mourinho, who became Inter boss in June, said he did not expect to sign Lampard this summer.

The ex-West Ham star is into the final year of his Chelsea contract and is yet to commit his future to the club.

Reports on Monday suggested that the opening offer from Inter was £6.5m for Lampard, who is set to leave for free next summer.

The recent arrival at Stamford Bridge of Portugal central midfielder Deco, who was also courted by Mourinho and who has joined the Blues on a two-year deal from Barcelona, may hasten Lampard's exit.

There are also reports circulating that Chelsea striker Didier Drogba could be set for a reunion with Mourinho.

The Portuguese boss indicated in June that he would like to work with the Ivory Coast international again.

"I cannot forget Deco, Lampard and Drogba. These are players who I could never say no to," stated Mourinho.

"I would love to work with them again in the future but I am not too obsessed with this idea."

He added: "I don't know which of these three will leave their clubs but we will see."

If Mourinho bids for Drogba then he may face a fight for his signature from local rivals AC Milan, whose technical director Leonardo told BBC Sport that they are also keen on the forward.

(bbc sports)

[da_notorious_mack]

id rather have deco than lampard

[Elano]

id rather have deco than lampard

 

[KURUPTION-81]

id rather have deco than lampard

 

TechnIcally deco is much better than lampard, but lampard has proved himself in the prem league will be intersting to see how deco does.

Im still not sure how they will fit essien, ballack and deco unless they continue to play one up front.

[Elano]

Chelsea reject Inter Milan's approach for Frank Lampard

Chelsea have rejected Inter Milan's approach for Frank Lampard, insisting they "will not enter into any discussions" for the England midfielder.

While the Premier League club have confirmed they have spoken to the Italian side about the 30-year-old, they insist no financial offer has been made for the player.

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has received an official approach from Internazionale to discuss the possible transfer of Frank Lampard," a statement read. "Contrary to reports, no financial offer was made.

"Chelsea FC has informed Inter this morning that we will not enter into any discussion regarding the transfer of Frank Lampard."

Reports had suggested Lampard would decide whether to stay at Chelsea or move to Inter by the end of the week, with indications that he is inclined to delay his departure for at least one more season.

Lampard's contract runs out at the end of next season and he could move to another club on a free transfer, but Chelsea are confident that he will sign a four-year, £130,000-a-week deal before the start of the new campaign.

[pimpag]

I just read this on the BBC website, great news for them, bad for Chelsea. I don't think the team will suffer too much though, personally...

[Elano]

Lampard, who watched the press conference at the training ground in Cobham, Surrey, between double sessions, confronted Peter Kenyon in the canteen when the chief executive returned from the nearby Hilton Hotel, where Scolari had been speaking. Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, revealed that the relationship appeared broken beyond repair, although, after talks later in the day, it became clear that Lampard's issue remained with the club and the contract offer rather than Scolari.

"Frank has spoken to Scolari by phone and then in person," Kutner said. "He made it categorically clear that although he would love to finish his career at Chelsea, with the deal he has been offered that is not possible.

"Maybe there has been a misinterpretation, but people at the club know it and I don't know why they didn't explain that to Scolari. They have put Frank in an untenable position. He said that he dreamt of finishing his career at Chelsea but they haven't offered him the contract that allows him to do that."

It is possible that Chelsea could withdraw the contract offer, one that would make Lampard the best-paid Englishman in football, and force the issue if he continues with his delaying tactics. Chelsea have doubted Lampard's intentions for some time, particularly since José Mourinho, their former manager, took over at Inter. The move now appears a matter of financial negotiation.

If Lampard does leave, he will not be the last out of the door. Scolari has told the club that he wants a a maximum first-team squad of 25 and the arrivals of Deco, José Bosingwa and Branislav Ivanovic take the number to 33. With Scolari insisting that Didier Drogba will stay, a number of players have reason to fear for their futures, including Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tal Ben-Haim and Juliano Belletti. Steve Sidwell will join Aston Villa soon and their departures will force Chelsea to write off millions of pounds.

Asked if he was worried about interference from Roman Abramovich, the owner, Scolari said that he was in charge of all team matters. He dismissed a move for Ronaldinho, the Barcelona forward.

[Elano]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1407675.ece