Lampard To Juve: Pay Me And I'll Join

Reports in Italy suggest that Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has told Juventus that he will join them if they match his €7m a year wage demands.

The Italian press have been covering this story for several weeks now, and they are adamant that a transfer in the summer is virtually nailed on.

The goalscoring midfielder is ready to quit Stamford Bridge after the departure of Jose Mourinho and would like a fresh challenge in a foreign country.

Juventus have unsuccessfully tried to lure Lampard to Turin in the past but with his contract expiring in 2009, the Bianconeri would only need to fork out around £9m to get their man.

The key person in luring Lampard to Turin is Juve Coach Claudio Ranieri. It was the Tinkerman who was responsible for launching the East Londoner’s career when he signed him from West Ham in 2001.

The pair have an excellent relationship and Lampard was said to be devastated when Ranieri was axed by Roman Abramovich in 2004.

Juventus have made the signing of a top-class centre midfielder a priority as summer signings Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron have dreadfully failed to shine.

Cristiano Zanetti and Antonio Nocerino have done well in the middle-of-the-park but they do not posses the goal threat that Lampard brings to the table.

The 29-year-old, who has scored 20-goals plus for the last two seasons, was on the scoresheet again at the weekend during Chelsea’s 2-0 home win over Sunderland.

www.goal.com - 10/12/2007 11:57