Blues knock back Lamps bid

Chelsea reject Inter's approach for midfielder

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 8th July 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Blues knock back Lamps bid

Lampard: Inter bid rejected

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Sky Sports News understands that Chelsea have rejected Internazionale's bid for Frank Lampard.

The Serie A champions lodged a £7.95million offer on Tuesday in an attempt to lure the England international to Italy.

With the midfielder yet to sign a contract extension at Stamford Bridge Inter had hoped to tempt the Blues into agreeing a sale, rather than face the prospect of losing the 30-year-old on a free transfer next summer.

Inter's interest in Lampard has been growing for some time, with tentative approaches having now been backed up with a formal approach.

However, Chelsea have always insisted that they are keen to keep the player, with new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari confirming his desire to see the former West Ham man at the club next season during his first news conference since his arrival in West London .

While Inter appear to have failed with their first bid for the midfielder, for as long as his contractual situation remains unclear there is a possibility that they will return with an improved offer.

The fact that former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is now in charge at Giuseppe Meazza would also suggest that the Nerazzuri are unlikely to accept defeat in their hunt for their top transfer target.