Lampard exit talk cools
03 Jul 2007 - 08:28:47
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- Lampard exit talk cools
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard's agent insists the England international has no intention of leaving Stamford Bridge and wants to stay at the club for the rest of his career.
Weekend reports suggested the 29-year-old had turned down a contract extension that would have made him the Blues' highest earner with wages of £131,000-a-week.
Both Barcelona and Juventus have been linked with the midfielder, but Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, says such talk is premature as he has not had the chance to speak to the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon about a new contract.
He said: "The three of us haven't had a chance to have talks. There has never been a time when the three of us have been free as Frank has been on holiday and Peter has been away.
"But nothing has changed. Frank has always said he wants to stay at Chelsea for the rest of his career.
"He will join up with Chelsea's tour (of the USA) next week and will be as committed as ever. Nothing can get sorted out until he gets back, but there is no rush."
Last week Lampard had said: "I have two years left on my contract at Chelsea, that's the way it is.
"They have no necessity to come and offer me anything, so I just carry on and get on with it as you have to as a player.
"In an ideal world I would have done it three weeks ago, but it is not an ideal world is it?"
Lampard joined Chelsea in the summer of 2001 for £11million from West Ham United and has gone on to be one of the key players in the Blues' success under Jose Mourinho.
The England schemer has scored 90 goals in 329 appearances for the Blues to date.