Arrivederci Frank? Lazio will offer Chelsea’s Lampard a 3-year deal, Inter also interested

The onset of the January transfer window has a fresh twist in the possible future of England international Frank Lampard.

It is common knowledge that Lampard’s present deal at Chelsea expires in the summer, and the 34-year-old midfielder is free to agree pre-contract terms with a foreign club in January.

While debate rages at Stamford Bridge whether the club should be so quick to ditch Lampard – a player who has chalked up over 500 Premier League appearances for the Pensioners whilst winning every trophy under the sun – barely a day goes by without a transfer rumour linking Frank to a departure from west London.

There have been stories linking the England international to China and North America, however Italian daily Corriere Dello Sport have begun 2013 claiming that Lazio and Inter Milan are both vying for Lampard’s signature.

According to the rumour mill, Lazio are eager to snap up Lampard this winter and the Romans are prepared to table a 3-year contract worth £2million. The deal Lazio are putting together is said to be on par with their top earners, such as Miroslav Klose.

Corriere Dello Sport do insert a cavaet into their transfer gossip piece:

In reality, however, it is still a very difficult and almost impossible for Lazio to sign Lampard. At Chelsea Lampard earns wages which Lazio cannot compete with, and also seems very complicated that the player will leave Chelsea before the natural expiration of its commitment in June 2013.

Alongside Lazio, Inter Milan are also mentioned in passing as being a club interested in snapping up Lampard should he leave Cobham.

***

As an aside, a brilliant old video has come to our attention involving Frank Lampard as an 18-year-old budding footballer at West Ham.

From way back in 1996, the video captures a West Ham United AGM in which an Irons’ fan tells then coach Harry Redknapp that Scott Canham is a better player than Frank Lampard. Redknapp’s reaction is brilliant.