Chelsea owner Abramovich digs in heels over Lampard sale


Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to reject all offers from Inter Milan for Frank Lampard - even if it means losing him for nothing next summer.

The News of the World says the Blues will miss out on the reported £10m fee Jose Mourinho is prepared to hand over to take his favourite player to Inter Milan.  Then comes the England midfield ace's £6.1m wages for the next year. And all to keep a wantaway star who is desperate to quit the club he once loved.  A Chelsea insider explained: "Roman won't budge on this one. Why should he? It's a matter of principle. "Frank Lampard is one of our best players and we want him to stay. We have made him a very, very good offer to keep him at Chelsea and even now we still hope he will see sense and agree to it.  "But whether he does or he doesn't he will not be going anywhere this season. Yes, Inter Milan want him and have made a bid. But can someone explain why we have to sell arguably our best player when we don't have to?

"The situation is crystal clear. Frank Lampard has a contract with Chelsea for another year. We will certainly honour that contract in full and we are expecting Frank Lampard to do likewise.  "If Frank wants to leave after that then that's his decision and he will go with our blessing and our thanks for eight marvellous years. And that's it - end of story."