Chelsea transfer rumours: Lampard to Man United?

Transfer news that Frank Lampard is edging towards his contract release clause is rife this morning and depending on your chosen flavour of news medium you will have been informed the Chelsea talisman is either staying at Stamford Bridge or heading to a rival team.

There is talk of England international Lampard being offered a 12-month contract extension to keep the 34-year-old midfielder at the club until 2014; as yet no news has surfaced of the player’s decision to take up the proposed deal.

Waiting in the wings are David Beckham’s old franchise LA Galaxy which seems a long shot now, Europe’s fiercest rivals PSG, AC Milan surprise inclusion Manchester United who want a goal scoring midfielder on side to free up Wayne Rooney.

It is believed Lampard will choose to remain at Stamford Bridge to see out his playing career rather than try to integrate himself into the rhythm of a foreign squad, resisting lucrative offers from the world’s richest clubs.

The fact remains that Abramovich must prepare the right deal to suit Lampard, although the Chelsea veteran has just boosted his value what with clinching the winning goal for Roy Hodgson’s England side against Brazil midweek underpinning his attacking qualities as truly world class.

One factor that may keep Lampard with Premier League title contenders Chelsea is his desire to reach the 100-cap milestone as he is comfortable with his current playing time average, which should be enough to position himself as a worthy squad candidate for upcoming international games.

Lampard needs just six more to join the pack of modern centurions, which includes Ashley Cole and captain Steven Gerrard, and moving away to Manchester United or PSG might limit his visibility to Roy Hodgson, as the former operates on a rotation policy and the latter is too far off the radar for consistent scouting observation.

Lampard is desperate to stay at Chelsea, where he needs just six more goals to beat the club’s all-time goal scoring record, which is held by Bobby Tambling on 202.

Of the potential offers to move elsewhere Manchester United put in an attractive package worth £65,000-a-week, plus a further 12-month roll-on option; AC Milan are willing to pay £41,000 per week; LA Galaxy put forward £51,000 a week for two years, PSG and Guangzhou about £10,000 a week more over the same term.

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