Chelsea hoping to keep Lampard

Updated 15.00 Fri Jun 13 2008

Keywords: frank lampard, england midfielder, stamford bridge

Chelsea bosses are hoping England midfielder Frank Lampard will sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard is set for more talks over a new contract next week and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy hope the appointment of new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will persuade him to stay.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is said to want to lure Lampard to Italy

The 29-year-old has one year left on his contract and has consistently said that he does not want to leave Chelsea. However, Lampard wants a deal which will put him on par with other top earners such as John Terry and Michael Ballack.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who has just taken up the reins at Inter Milan, is a big fan of Lampard.

The 'Special One' is reported to be keen to lure Lampard to Serie A in Italy.

Lampard is said to be on the horns of a dilemma. At his age he believes this may be his last chance to play abroad for a big club.

But Lampard also feels an emotional attachment to Chelsea and is believed to want to stay close to his two sisters and father following the recent death of his mother.

The former West Ham star had also been anxious to see who Chelsea decided to appoint as Avram Grant's successor.