Frank Lampard‘s return to Chelsea is set to be announced imminently after the Derby manager was excused from the second day of Rams training so he can conclude negotiations with his former club.
The club legend is the clear favourite for the top job at Stamford Bridge with right-hand man Jody Morris set to come with him.
The Rams are searching for a new manager on the assumption the 41-year-old will leave Pride Park and are close to completing a deal with former PSV and Fenerbahce manager Phillip Cocu.
“Derby County Football Club has excused Frank Lampard from reporting back for pre-season training on Monday and Tuesday to allow his discussions regarding a potential move to Chelsea to be concluded as soon as possible,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
Chelsea confirmed the £40.3m signing of Mateo Kovacic last night with the deal concluded just in time before the player’s registration transferred back to Real Madrid.
Due to his previous loan spell, which included an option to buy, Chelsea were able to complete the deal before their transfer ban came into effect.
Bayern Munich have reportedly made a £22.4m bid for Callum Hudson-Odoi, according to the Daily Mail. However, the Chelsea starlet’s representatives have also been in talks with Chelsea and the club are confident that he will sign a new long-term deal.
Hudson-Odoi will not be allowed to leave by Chelsea this summer, even if an agreement isn’t concluded.
Tiemoue Bakayoko, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan, is set to return to the club, but his route into the first-team is now less clear with Kovacic’s confirmation, while Lampard is likely to favour Ruben Loftus-Cheek when the Englishman returns from injury.
Fellow loanee Kurt Zouma could leave the club this summer but the club are keen to sort their managerial situation out before making a final decision.
The Daily Star report that the Blues would be looking for a fee of £30m with Everton, where he spent last year on loan, keen.
