Buck - We want Frank to stay

Contract extension remains on table says Blues chief

By Steve Pass   Last updated: 9th July 2008

Buck - We want Frank to stay

Buck: Wants Lampard to stay

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Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck added his voice to the resounding clamour from Stamford Bridge that the club want Frank Lampard to stay.

The England international has just one year left on his current contract and is being linked with a reunion with old boss Jose Mourinho at Internazionale.

The Italian giants made a £7.95million bid for the attacking midfielder, which Chelsea rejected earlier on Wednesday, with Chief executive Peter Kenyon insisting the Blues will not cash in on the player.

Kenyon added he is hopeful Lampard will put pen-to-paper on their contract extension offer.

And now Buck has waded into the debate by confirming the club's offer remains on the table.

Long-term

He told Chelsea TV: "We would like Frank Lampard to stay at Chelsea for the long-term.

"We have offered him what we believe to be a very good new contract.

"As is his right he has decided at the moment not to accept that contract - but there is one year remaining on his current contract and we expect and hope he will honour that contract.

"Even for the course of that year there is still the opportunity for him to complete a new contract because the offer we have made him remains on the table."

Buck added: "With respect to Inter Milan, the day before yesterday they sent us a latter asking if we would talk to them about Frank Lampard, we responded and said 'no'.

"Yesterday they sent a letter with a cash offer for Frank Lampard and again we responded. We are not interested."