Chelsea's Champions League final preparations have been jolted by reports that midfielder Frank Lampard could be set to move to Inter Milan.
Italian newspapers reported yesterday that transfer negotiations were at an advanced stage but that no announcement would be made before tonight's Champions League final in Moscow between Chelsea and Manchester United.
"Inter after Lampard," was the banner headline on the front-page of sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport.
Another paper, Corriere dello Sport, quoted Inter President Massimo Moratti as praising both Lampard and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.
"They are both very good, but it's not easy to buy them," Moratti was quoted as saying. "As far as Gerrard is concerned I think it is really hard, but for Lampard, we'll see."
"There's talk (of him) for our market transfers, but he's a player who'll play the Champions League final. It will also depend on how that game goes."
Lampard's contract with Chelsea expires at the end of next season. Both sides have failed to reach agreement so far on a contract extension for the 29-year-old England international.
Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, insisted no decision on the player's future would be made until later in the summer. Lampard's mother died last month from pneumonia.
Inter won its third straight Serie A title this season. Inter coach Roberto Mancini has been linked with a possible move to Chelsea as a replacement for manager Avram Grant, whose future remains uncertain.
Lampard's former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, is reportedly in line to take over at Inter next season.
Elsewhere, Swiss defender Philipp Degen will play at Liverpool next season after leaving Germany's Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer.
The 25-year-old will join on July 1 and provide competition for Steve Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa in the right back position when he returns from the European Championship.
(Shanghai Daily May 21, 2008)