Lampard calls for talks on new contract
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Frank Lampard has told Chelsea that he wants his future resolved before reporting back for pre-season duty a week on Monday. The England midfield player, revealed by The Times yesterday as a target for Barcelona, has two years remaining on his contract, but with the option to buy himself out of the deal, he said yesterday that he finds it “strange” that the club have not sought to secure his services.
Lampard is seeking parity with Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack as the top wage-earners at Stamford Bridge on £130,000 a week. Lampard earns £80,000 and, having reportedly rejected the club’s initial offer of £110,000, is frustrated that negotiations have been suspended for more than a month.
Steve Kutner, his agent, was in the background, clutching a video of how to learn Spanish, and Barcelona’s renewed interest will sharpen the focus on Lampard’s future before José Mourinho’s squad leaves on a pre-season tour to the United States.
With an attempt to pin down John Terry to a long-term deal also stalling, ChelseaÂ’s brinkmanship has left Lampard uncertain of his next turn, although he emphasised that his preference is to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona have signalled their intention to bounce back from losing their Spanish league crown by signing Thierry Henry from Arsenal for £16.2 million and would be willing to invest a similar fee on Lampard.
However, the 29-year-old expressed his disappointment that the issue had not been resolved. He is keen to put pen to paper on a new deal as soon as possible. “In an ideal world I would do [extend his contract],” he said. “In an ideal world I would have done it three weeks ago. But it is not an ideal world, is it?” -
Offload the fringer players like Hilario or Hedman and use their wages to balance it up la.
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go to barcelona. and they'll be god-like!
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Still holding out for bigger paycheck ar?
Cheers.
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And we find it 'strange' that he wants more money.
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Lamps: Talks have not moved on
Frank Lampard admits his contract talks have not progressed, although he insists he is still focused on playing for Chelsea next season.
Lampard has always been unwavering when asked about his commitment to Chelsea, but he has not yet managed to agree a new deal with the club.
This has prompted speculation about the midfielder's future and he has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Juventus.
Lampard concedes it is not an ideal situation but can understand why the club is in no hurry.
"My mind at the moment is going back pre-season with Chelsea of course," he said.
"I said after the FA Cup final that I wanted to stay but nothing has moved on from there and that is probably what leaves me in the situation I am in.
"I have two years left on my contract at Chelsea, that's the way it is. They have no necessity to come and offer me anything so I just carry on and get on with it as you have to as a player."
"In an ideal world I would have done it (signed a new deal) three weeks ago. But it is not an ideal world is it?" -
BARCELONA and Juventus are going to war over Frank Lampard.
The Spanish giants will fire the opening shots with a £12million offer for Chelsea’s midfield ace.
But Italian giants Juventus are ready to raise the stakes to get their man. Lampard admitted: “It feels strange that things are up in the air.
“In an ideal world I would want this resolved before the season starts.”
The England midfielder has yet to agree an extension on his Blues contract despite months of negotiations.
Lampard, 28, has just two years left on his £118,000-a-week deal and Barca are hopeful the uncertainty will help their chances of luring him to Spain.
New Juve boss Claudio Ranieri — who signed Lamps for Chelsea in 2001 — is also monitoring the situation.
He has been assured there is cash to match any bid by Barca.
Barca hope to fund their bid by selling Deco to Inter Milan though the possibility of a swap deal has not been ruled out.
Portuguese midfielder Deco played for Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Porto.
Barca vice president Ferran Soriano has been charged with recruiting Lampard after successfully delivering Thierry Henry to the Nou Camp.
The deposed La Liga champs landed the Arsenal hitman for £16m this week.
They expect their opening bid of £12m for Lampard to be rejected but believe they can secure him for around £16m. -
dont think he will wanna go to italy
should join barca and create the most feared attacking force in the world -
lampard can warm the bench in barca. i'll pick iniesta, xavi and deco ahead of him any time
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Lampard has till 15 of June to buy off his present contract and he wants to force chelsea to give him a pay rise by then or he threaten to buy himself out of chelsea for $8m...
Chelsea on the other hand may want to delay till after the 15 of June so that he is no longer able to buy himself out... And by then, either he takes it or they can sell him to some other club for $15m... -
Originally posted by zocoss:Lampard has till 15 of June to buy off his present contract and he wants to force chelsea to give him a pay rise by then or he threaten to buy himself out of chelsea for $8m...
Chelsea on the other hand may want to delay till after the 15 of June so that he is no longer able to buy himself out... And by then, either he takes it or they can sell him to some other club for $15m...
so now he cant buy himself out because its already 30th june? -
most probably mourinho would want deco in exchange.
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HAha.. -
chelsea should swap him for deco and get some cash on top of it.
as i said earlier, if he doesnt score in a match you wont noticed he is playing. that is how lousy he is as a midfielder.