adminconsidering a U-turn over Lampard’s future raised the hopes of Chelsea fans.
But on Sunday night Lampard’s agent Steve Kutner confirmed that the England midfielder’s stellar Stamford Bridge career will finish when his contract expires in June.
Kutner said: “Chelsea executives told Frank in Japan during the Club World Cup then again reconfirmed with me after the Everton victory that in no circumstances will he be offered a new contract to stay at the club after the end of this season.
“Nothing since has changed in any respect.
“Frank has had to accept that and just wants to carry on playing football for Chelsea so as to finish the season as successfully as possible for the club that he loves.”
Lampard’s successful penalty in Chelsea’s 5-1 win at Southampton on Saturday took the 34-year-old to 193 Chelsea goals — within nine of Bobby Tambling’s club record in the 1960s.
The travelling fans greeted Lampard’s arrival off the bench with a series of choruses of “sign him up” directed at Abramovich and the Blues board but it appears now that will fall on deaf ears.
Mirror Sport reported last month how Lampard’s likely destination is following David Beckham’s path to join Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS. But interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has backed the veteran midfielder to go on proving his continuing commitment to the club.
Lampard, who joined Chelsea from West Ham for £11million in 2001, made a point of going to the travelling fans after scoring at St Mary’s.
He admitted afterwards: “Maybe I was a little bit emotional but the fans have been with me all the time I’ve been here.
“I know there is a lot of talk going around but I am actually really enjoying playing and enjoying the moment.
“If certain things are going on in your head, when you run out and the fans support you the way they do, it can’t help but make you a bit emotional.
“I just wanted to say ‘thanks’ back.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to ditch David de Gea — and buy a keeper in the transfer window.
Ferguson has given the Spaniard every chance to fill the jersey at Old Trafford but doubts about his ability to handle the physical side are growing.
And the shrewd United chief has asked supremo David Gill and the club’s American owners to fund a buy for a genuine number one.
Ferguson is hurriedly looking round for a replacement at the right price and eligible to play in the Champions League.
De Gea and Anders Lindegaard have been chopped and changed this season but both have struggled to establish themselves.
United splashed out on De Gea when Fergie took a chance on his potential and brought him in from Atletico Madrid, but his fragility under pressure has not gone away.
De Gea is often targeted by the opposition when it comes to set pieces and high balls and his sheer lack of physique is a problem.
Ferguson’s spies have been checking on alternatives for weeks but now the United boss is in serious discussions with Gill and the Glazers about a kitty for a new man.
Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic is under review and even Liverpool’s Pepe Reina is a possibility. Both can play in Europe this season.
Begovic has been a giant for the Potters who do not want to sell. Reina’s future under Brendan Rodgers is less certain. — The Mirror.
Online Reporter