England midfielder and Chelsea great Frank Lampard will play in the A-League for Melbourne City FC next season, according to reports in the English media.

Lampard is headed for Manchester City-owned New York City FC, and the UK's The Mirror reports he will join Melbourne City FC on a temporary deal similar to Spain striker David Villa's before heading to the MLS.

Villa's 10-week temporary deal with Melbourne City - formerly Melbourne Heart - was confirmed earlier this month after signing with sister club New York.

The Melbourne Heart was acquired by Premier League champions Manchester City in January and has since been renamed to Melbourne City FC.

If Lampard does head down under, he will be reunited with former Chelsea colleague Damian Duff, who signed a one-year deal with Melbourne City.

The next MLS season does not kick off until the Australian autumn, allowing the likes of Villa and Lampard to take up temporary A-League deals for the first portion of the Australian football calendar.

Former Socceroo and Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer told The Mirror he has already spoken to Lampard about life in Melbourne.

"All I can say is that he did ask me about Melbourne Heart [now Melbourne City FC]. He did ask me what Melbourne was like and what Melbourne Heart was like," Schwarzer said.

"I said Sydney was the best place to live. But I spoke very highly of Melbourne. I actually love Melbourne. It's a great city. I told him how passionate in particular the Victorians are with their sport.

"There is huge potential in the game in Australia and it would be unbelieveable if he went to Australia. I said to him that he would love living there. It's a great place to live."

"He walked away with that and I know what he's like. So we will see."