Jose doubts Lampard deal

Kenyon reiterates Chelsea's stance regarding midfielder's future

By Nadia Carminati   Last updated: 21st July 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Jose doubts Lampard deal

Lampard: Set to stay with Blues

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Jose Mourinho admits it will be 'difficult' for Inter Milan to sign Frank Lampard this summer, with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon reiterating the midfielder will not be sold.

Lampard is a target for Inter, with the Italian champions' president Massimo Moratti having claimed the 30-year-old wants to move to Serie A.

Chelsea have rejected an offer of almost £8million for the England international and want Lampard to fulfil the final year of his Stamford Bridge contract.

Former Blues boss Mourinho now accepts that it is more likely that the player will head to the Giuseppe Meazza on a free transfer in 12 months' time.

Easier

"For him, it's easier to end his deal by playing with Chelsea than to suddenly break it now," Inter coach Mourinho told Portuguese channel TV1.

"It seems to me difficult that he could arrive now, it would be easier that he could arrive next season."

Speaking upon Chelsea's arrival for a pre-season tour of China, chief executive Kenyon confirmed that Lampard will not be sold, even if he does not agree a contract extension.

No change

Kenyon said: "As Felipe (Scolari) said Frank is here, he has been training very well and there is no change in the position.

"We want Frank to stay, but if we cannot agree he will honour the last year of his contract.

"We do not sell our best players and there will be no more discussions about this while we are out here as this trip is about preparation and playing."

Meanwhile, Mourinho has expressed his admiration for Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma, who has been linked with a move to Inter.

Mourinho added: "It would be interesting to work with him and I'm sure, also, that Quaresma would willingly work with me.

"But I'm Inter's coach and not a Porto official."