LAMPARD IN LEEDS LINK

According to The Sun, Leeds boss David O'Leary is keen to snap up the England international in the summer and reunite him with former Hammer Rio Ferdinand, who moved to Elland Road for a British record fee of £18 million in November.

O'Leary is believed to be a big admirer of the playmaker and he would like to add him to his young squad as he tries to build a side capable of challenging for honours at home and abroad.

The Elland Road chief is reportedly hopeful that a £10 million bid will be enough to secure his services but there would surely have to be some exits from the club before they make another major investment.

Leeds may also face competition from Premiership rivals Liverpool and Tottenham for the signature of the highly-rated midfielder.

Reds boss Gerard Houllier is also a big fan of the 22-year-old and might like to take him to Anfield and form a dream midfield partnership with Steven Gerrrad as he bids to build a side to challenge the dominance of Manchester United.

And Spurs have often been touted as a likely destination for the midfield man, since director of football David Pleat confirmed a bid was made in the past for the player.

The England international is currently in the middle of an £18,000-a-week deal at West Ham and Hammers boss Harry Redknapp will try to ward off all interest in the player.

Redknapp is keen to hang on to his best young players having admitted that the team has suffered since the departure of Ferdinand and he is under no pressure to sell as he still has funds available from the sale of the England centre back.

Lampard has always insisted that he is happy to stay at the club where he started his caree,r and where his father is assistant coach.

However, he has also gone on record as saying that he may have to leave East London if he is to fulfil all of his ambitions and he may be tempted to move having seen his close friend Ferdinand enjoy so much success in club and international football since his departure from Upton Park.

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