Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay is expected to sit down for talks with Lampard and his representatives over the “next week or so” to extend his career at Stamford Bridge.

Rumours swirled around last week that a new deal might be in prospect, only to be furiously denied by those close to Lampard, because at that time nothing was on the table. But now the Daily Express understands Lampard has been told that the club are at last ready to open talks on extending his £150,000-a-week deal, which ends in June.

A Chelsea source said: “It is my understanding that Frank has been given an indication that the club are to offer him a new deal, the details of which are yet to be discussed.

“Everyone at the club will be delighted if he stays.”