Frank refusal
FRANK LAMPARD is still playing hardball over his desire to become Chelsea’s top earner – but he is not expected to quit the club.
The Blues have offered him a deal worth £110,000 a week, but Lampard has not signed as he wants parity with Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, who earn £130,000-a-week.
Chelsea feel their offer to Lampard is generous and do not intend to increase it as they look to tighten their spending. Their three signings so far this summer – Tal Ben Haim, Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro – have been free transfers.
Lampard does have the option to buy out the remaining two years on his contract, which would cost around £8million, and then seek a free transfer.
He was linked with a move to Europe but has not had any offers. Barcelona appear unlikely to bid for him, after signing midfielder Yaya Toure from Monaco for £6m and with Deco, Xavi and Andres Iniesta now likely to stay with the Spanish club, according to their sporting director Txiki Begiristain.
But Chelsea are prepared to play a waiting game to get their man and they firmly believe Lampard will eventually put pen to paper. Manager Jose Mourinho does not want to lose the England midfielder.
He considers Lampard the heart and soul of the Chelsea side and attaches great value to his goals and consistency.
France midfielder Florent Malouda has confirmed he wants to join Chelsea – but French club Lyon are holding out for £17million.
Malouda has made no attempt to hide his desire to quit the six-times French champions.
But, despite being linked with Chelsea’s rivals Liverpool, Malouda yesterday revealed that his preferred destination is the Premiership and Stamford Bridge.
Malouda, 27, said: “It’s Chelsea where I want to go. I have made my choice. I have talked about it with the coach Jose Mourinho and I have had direct contact with the club unlike Liverpool, where too many intermediaries and sharks have entered the game.”
If he does move to Chelsea, Malouda will link up again with striker Didier Drogba with whom he had a great season at Guingamp in 2002-3.
Chelsea full-back Geremi has opened talks over a move to Newcastle.