Derby manager Frank Lampard has been heavily linked with the Chelsea job

Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri is on the verge of being appointed Juventus manager

Sarri is waiting Chelsea to give the go-ahead to complete his return to Italy

With Lampard seemingly heading for the exit, Derby are eyeing up Lee Bowyer

Derby appear to be preparing for life after Frank Lampard and have made checks on Charlton manager Lee Bowyer.

Rams manager and Stamford Bridge legend Lampard is the favourite to replace Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea manager who in turn is on the verge of being appointed Juventus boss.

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Sarri is waiting for the final say so from Chelsea before getting the go-ahead to complete his return to Italy, which is partly reliant on the Europa League winners finalising their own succession plan.

Derby manager Frank Lampard is the favourite to replace Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge

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Lampard led Derby to the Championship play-off final where they were edged out by Aston Villa at Wembley.

Derby's players were understood to have been left with the distinct impression that Lampard was planning an exit when they went they went their separate ways after the final game of the season.

And the club's fears about losing Lampard have been underlined by their tentative interest in Bowyer.

Sarri is on the verge of returning to Italy and taking on the vacant manager's role at Juventus

Sportsmail understands Derby have made discreet enquiries about the 42-year-old and his situation as they consider their options too.

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Bowyer has impressed a number of clubs in his first full season as a manager, leading Charlton back into the Championship as League One play-off winners despite all the off-field turmoil at The Valley.

Charlton are also in a vulnerable position with Bowyer now into the final month of his contract.

The south Londoners intend to re-open talks over a new deal for Bowyer following his return from holiday this week and will hope to tie him down before any potentially better financial offers come in.

The Rams have made checks on Charlton boss Lee Bowyer with Lampard heading for the exit

Whoever is in charge at Derby will have a reduced budget to work with next season with the resources made available to the manager set to be slashed.

Derby confirmed on Monday that five players, including Ashley Cole, will be allowed to leave on free transfers, giving Derby a little more room for manoeuvre in the transfer market though they are set to be heavily reliant on loans next season.

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However, the success of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson at Pride Park under Lampard has gone down well among Premier League clubs and Derby will be at the front of the queue when the top flight sides come to loan out their best youngsters next term.